U.S. patent application number 10/718119 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-10 for disk drive apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Fukuyama, Sachio, Kikugawa, Masaaki, Maruoka, Makoto, Masaki, Kiyoshi, Mihara, Kazuhiro, Naka, Teruyuki, Obayashi, Shinichiro, Urayama, Noriaki, Yoshida, Shuichi.
Application Number | 20040111737 10/718119 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27334885 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040111737 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Masaki, Kiyoshi ; et
al. |
June 10, 2004 |
Disk drive apparatus
Abstract
The present invention is intended to provide a disk drive
apparatus capable of suppressing the occurrence of undesirable
vibration due to the imbalance of a disk and capable of carrying
out high-rate transfer, wherein a balancer is formed so as to
accommodate a predetermined number of spherical bodies in a
ring-shaped track portion having a predetermined shape, and this
balancer is provided so as to be rotatable integrally and coaxially
with the disk. In addition, in the disk drive apparatus of the
present invention, the ring-shaped track of the balancer is divided
into plural tracks by partition walls or the like, and a ball used
as a balance member is disposed so as to be movable on each divided
track. Furthermore, the disk drive apparatus of the present
invention is configured so that the disk is held on both sides or
one side thereof by using four or more projections or rubber
sheets.
Inventors: |
Masaki, Kiyoshi;
(Amagasaki-shi, JP) ; Mihara, Kazuhiro;
(Moriguchi-shi, JP) ; Yoshida, Shuichi;
(Osaka-shi, JP) ; Naka, Teruyuki; (Isumi-Shi,
JP) ; Fukuyama, Sachio; (Matsuyama-shi, JP) ;
Urayama, Noriaki; (Matsuyama-shi, JP) ; Kikugawa,
Masaaki; (Matsuyama-shi, JP) ; Maruoka, Makoto;
(Matsuyama-shi, JP) ; Obayashi, Shinichiro;
(Onsen-gun, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD L.L.P.
ONE COMMERCE SQUARE
2005 MARKET STREET, SUITE 2200
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103-7013
US
|
Assignee: |
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.,
Ltd.
1006 Oaza-Kadoma, Kadoma-shi
Osaka
JP
571-8501
|
Family ID: |
27334885 |
Appl. No.: |
10/718119 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10718119 |
Nov 19, 2003 |
|
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09509231 |
Jun 8, 2000 |
|
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09509231 |
Jun 8, 2000 |
|
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PCT/JP98/04253 |
Sep 21, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
720/715 ;
720/702; 720/706; G9B/33.024 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16F 15/363 20130101;
F16F 15/08 20130101; G11B 19/2018 20130101; G11B 25/043 20130101;
G11B 17/022 20130101; G11B 19/2027 20130101; G11B 17/0284 20130101;
G11B 33/08 20130101; G11B 17/038 20130101; G11B 17/0282
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
720/715 ;
720/702; 720/706 |
International
Class: |
G11B 017/028 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 25, 1997 |
JP |
HEI 9-260101 |
Nov 27, 1997 |
JP |
HEI 9-344160 |
Sep 3, 1998 |
JP |
HEI 10-267250 |
Claims
1. A disk drive apparatus comprising: a turntable having four or
more projections each of which has predetermined height, which are
arranged at positions wherein a circumference is divided at equal
intervals, and the tips of which are substantially on the same
plane, for supporting a mounted disk by using said four or more
projections; a clamper having four or more projections each of
which has predetermined height, which are arranged at positions
wherein a circumference is divided at equal intervals, and holding
said disk between these projections and the projections on said
turntable; and positioning means for holding said disk between the
projections on said turntable and the projections on said clamper
disposed opposite to each other.
2. A disk drive apparatus comprising: a turntable having four or
more projections each of which has predetermined height, which are
arranged at positions wherein a circumference is divided at equal
intervals, and the tips of which are substantially on the same
plane, for supporting a mounted disk by using said four or more
projections; a clamper having four or more projections each of
which has predetermined height, which are arranged at positions
wherein a circumference is divided at equal intervals, and holding
said disk between these projections and the projections on said
turntable; positioning means for holding said disk between the
projections on said turntable and the projections on said clamper
disposed opposite to each other; a sub-base to which a spindle
motor for rotating said disk is secured; a main base over which
said sub-base is installed via elastic bodies; and a balancer
having arc-shaped tracks with a plurality of arcs having a central
angle of less than 360 degrees and balance members provided so as
to be movable on said arc-shaped tracks, and provided so as to be
rotatable integrally with said disk.
3. A disk drive apparatus comprising: a turntable provided with a
ring-shaped rubber sheet stuck to a disk mounting face thereof on
which a disk used as a recording medium is mounted; and a clamper
having four or more projections each of which has predetermined
height, which are arranged at positions wherein a circumference is
divided at equal intervals, the tips of which are substantially on
the same plane, and holding said disk between said projections and
said ring-shaped rubber sheet.
4. A disk drive apparatus comprising: a turntable having four or
more projections each of which has predetermined height, which are
arranged at positions wherein a circumference is divided at equal
intervals, and the tips of which are substantially on the same
plane, for supporting a mounted disk by using said four or more
projections; and a clamper provided with a ring-shaped rubber sheet
stuck to a disk mounting face thereof for holding said disk between
said ring-shaped rubber sheet and said projections of said
turntable.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a disk drive apparatus
capable of carrying out stable recording and reproduction by
suppressing undesirable vibration and noise caused by an imbalance
on a disk used as a recording medium.
PRIOR ART
[0002] In recent years, in disk drive apparatuses for
recording/reproducing data, high-speed disk rotation is being
advanced to improve data transfer rate. For example, in a CD-ROM
disk drive apparatus, its rotation speed has increased from a
conventional value of the order of 5000 rpm to 6000 rpm or more.
This tendency is similarly shown not only in the half-height disk
drive apparatuses for desktop computers but also the low-profile
disk drive apparatuses for notebook computers.
[0003] However, there are various disks; some disks have a mass
imbalance due to nonuniform thickness, and other disks have a mass
imbalance due to the paper seal stuck thereto to indicate the
contents recorded thereon. The amount of the mass imbalance of the
disk reaches about 1 gcm in the case when the amount is large. When
this kind of disk is rotated at high speed, an eccentric
centrifugal force (an imbalance force) acts on the rotation center
of the disk, thereby causing a problem wherein the vibration due to
the imbalance force is transmitted to the whole of the device. The
magnitude of this imbalance force increases in proportion to the
square of rotation frequency (Hz) (rotation frequency is the
revolutions per unit time (revolutions/sec) of a disk 501). For
example, when increasing the rotation speed of a disk having a mass
imbalance of 1 gcm by only about 10%, from 5400 rpm to 600 rpm, the
imbalance force increases about 1.2 times, and the vibration also
increases significantly.
[0004] When the mass of the disk is M (g), and when the distance
from the center of the disk to the center of gravity of the disk is
L (cm), the mass imbalance amount A (gcm) is represented by
A=M.times.L.
[0005] When this kind of unbalanced disk is rotated at high speed,
noise occurs due to its vibration, the bearings of the spindle
motor for rotating the disk are damaged, thereby causing a problem
wherein stable recording and reproduction cannot be attained.
[0006] Furthermore, when this kind of disk drive apparatus is built
in an apparatus such as a computer, the vibration is transmitted to
other devices inside the apparatus, thereby also causing a problem
of adversely affecting the devices.
[0007] For these reasons, to improve data transfer rate by rotating
the disk at high speed, it is necessary to accomplish a task of
suppressing undesirable vibration due to the mass imbalance of the
disk.
[0008] An example of a conventional disk drive apparatus will be
described below referring to the drawings.
[0009] FIG. 72 is a perspective view showing the main unit of the
conventional disk drive apparatus. Referring to FIG. 72, a disk 1
is rotated by a spindle motor 2; and a head 3 reads data recorded
on the disk 1 or writes data on the disk 1. A head drive mechanism
5, comprising a rack, a pinion and the like, converts the rotation
motion of a head drive motor 4 into a linear motion, and transmits
it to the head 3. The head 3 is configured so as to be moved in the
radial direction of the disk 1 by this head drive mechanism 5. The
spindle motor 2, the head drive motor 4 and the head drive
mechanism 5 are mounted on a sub-base 6. Vibration and impact
transmitted from outside the device to the sub-base 6 are dampened
by insulators 7 (elastic bodies), and the sub-base 6 is mounted on
a main base 8 via these insulators 7. The main unit of the disk
drive apparatus shown in FIG. 72 is configured so as to be built on
a computer or the like via a frame (not shown) installed in the
main base 8.
[0010] FIG. 73 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the
spindle motor 2 of the conventional disk drive apparatus. A
turntable 110 is secured to the shaft 21 of the spindle motor 2 and
rotatably supports the clamp area 11 of the disk 1. Inside the boss
14 formed on the turntable 110, a positioning ball 116 making
contact with the corner portion of the clamp hole 12 of the disk 1
by virtue of a pressing means 113, such as a coil spring, is built
in. In this way, the disk 1 is disposed at a predetermined position
by the pressing operation of the positioning ball 116.
[0011] In the conventional disk drive apparatus configured as
describe above, in the condition wherein the disk 1 is disposed and
clamped on the turntable 110, by making the positioning ball 116
contact with the corner portion of the clamp hole 12, the disk 1 is
aligned and held on the turntable 110 by the pressing force of the
pressing means 113. The disk 1 held in this way is rotated
integrally with the turntable 110 by the spindle motor 2.
[0012] However, in the conventional disk drive apparatus having the
above-mentioned configuration, if the disk 1 having a mass
imbalance due to nonuniform thickness, a seal, etc. stuck thereon
is mounted and rotated at high speed, a centrifugal force (an
imbalance force) F acts on the center of gravity G1 of the disk 1
shown in FIG. 73. The direction of the action rotates as the disk 1
rotates. This imbalance force F is transmitted to the sub-base 6
via the turntable 110 and the spindle motor 2; however, since the
sub-base 6 is supported by the insulators 7 used as elastic bodies,
it is whirled significantly by the imbalance force F while the
insulators 7 are deformed. Since the magnitude of the imbalance
force F is proportional to the product of the mass imbalance amount
(represented by the unit of gcm) and the square of the rotation
frequency, the vibration acceleration of the sub-base 6 increases
drastically in close proportion to the square of the rotation
frequency of the disk 1. As a result, such problems occur that
noise was caused due to the resonance of the sub-base 6 itself and
the head drive mechanism 5 mounted on the sub-base 6, and stable
recording and reproduction became impossible due to significant
vibration of the disk 1 and the head 3.
[0013] To cope with the above-mentioned problems, in the
conventional disk drive apparatus, the spring constant of the
insulators 7 was raised, or an elastic material, such as a leaf
spring, was provided between the sub-base 6 and the main base 8 as
counter measures to suppress the vibration amplitude of the
sub-base 6.
[0014] However, if the rigidity of the connection portion between
the sub-base 6 and the main base 8 was raised in this way, when
vibration and impact were applied reversely from outside the drive
device to the disk drive apparatus, the vibration and impact were
directly transmitted to the sub-base 6 on which the disk 1, the
head 3 and the like were mounted, and stable recording and
reproduction became impossible, thereby causing a problem of
reducing the so-called vibration-resistant and impact-resistant
characteristics.
[0015] Furthermore, the vibration of the sub-base 6 due to the
imbalance force F was transmitted to the outside of the disk drive
apparatus via the main base 8 and the like, thereby causing a
problem of adversely affecting other devices in the computer in
which this disk drive apparatus was built.
[0016] Moreover, a large side pressure was applied to the bearings
of the spindle motor 2 by the imbalance force F, whereby the loss
of the shaft torque increased, and the bearings were damaged,
thereby to cause a problem of shortening the service life of the
bearings.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0017] In consideration of the above-mentioned problems, the
present invention is intended to provide a disk drive apparatus
capable of carrying out stable recording and reproduction even when
an unbalanced disk is rotated at high speed, and also capable of
carrying out high-rate transfer while having high reliability in
preventing vibration and impact from outside the device.
[0018] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the disk
drive apparatus of the present invention is a device wherein a
balancer having a ring-shaped track portion accommodating balance
members is provided so as to rotate integrally with a disk mounted
on the disk drive apparatus; and concrete means thereof are
described below.
[0019] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention comprises:
[0020] a balancer provided so as to be rotatable integrally with a
mounted disk and having a ring-shaped track portion accommodating
balance members, wherein
[0021] the balancer satisfies the relationship of:
h.gtoreq.f.sup.2.times..vertline.A-Z.vertline.,
[0022] when the total mass of the above-mentioned balance members
is M [g], the distance to the center of gravity of the total of the
above-mentioned balance members from the center axis of the
above-mentioned ring-shaped track portion is T [cm], a balance
amount Z [gcm] is represented by:
Z=M.times.T,
[0023] when the maximum rotation frequency of the above-mentioned
disk is f [Hz], the maximum of the mass imbalance amount of the
above-mentioned disk is A [gcm], and a constant is h.
[0024] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, even if the disk is rotated at high speed,
vibration due to the mass imbalance of the disk can be suppressed
securely, whereby it is possible to attain a disk drive apparatus
capable of carrying out high-rate transfer.
[0025] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention from another point of view comprises:
[0026] a balancer provided so as to be rotatable integrally with a
mounted disk and having a ring-shaped track portion accommodating
spherical bodies, wherein
[0027] the balancer satisfies the relationship of:
h.gtoreq.f.sup.2.times..vertline.A-Z.vertline.,
[0028] when the radius of the above-mentioned spherical body is r
[cm], the radius of the inner wall face of the outer periphery of
the above-mentioned ring-shaped portion is S [cm], the number of
the above-mentioned spherical bodies is n, the specific gravity of
the above-mentioned spherical body is .rho., and a balance amount Z
[gcm] is represented by:
Z={fraction (4/3)}.pi.r.sup.2.rho.(S-r).sup.2.times.sin[n
sin.sup.-1{r/(S-r)})],
[0029] when the maximum rotation frequency of the above-mentioned
disk is f [Hz], the maximum of the mass imbalance amount of the
above-mentioned disk is A [gcm], and a constant is h.
[0030] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, even if the disk is rotated at high speed,
vibration due to the mass imbalance of the disk can be suppressed
securely, whereby it is possible to attain a disk drive apparatus
capable of carrying out high-rate transfer.
[0031] In a disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention, the above-mentioned constant h may be represented
by:
h=fo.sup.2.times.Ao,
[0032] in the case when the maximum allowable rotation frequency
wherein vibration becomes an allowable value or less is fo [Hz] at
the time when a disk having a mass imbalance amount Ao [gcm] is
rotated in a condition wherein the above-mentioned balance amount
Z=0 [gcm].
[0033] Furthermore, in a disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the present invention, it is preferable that the diameter of a disk
to be mounted is 12 [cm] or less, and that the above-mentioned
constant h is 8100.
[0034] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention from another point of view comprises:
[0035] a head for carrying out recording or reproduction on a
mounted disk; and
[0036] a balancer provided so as to be rotatable integrally with
the above-mentioned disk and having a ring-shaped track portion
accommodating balance members, wherein
[0037] said balancer is disposed on the same side of the
above-mentioned head with respect to the recording face of the
above-mentioned disk used as a reference face.
[0038] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, even if a mounted unbalanced disk is rotated
at high speed, vibration can be suppressed sufficiently, whereby it
is possible to attain a low-profile disk drive apparatus capable of
carrying out high-rate transfer.
[0039] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention from another point of view comprises:
[0040] a head for carrying out recording or reproduction on a
mounted disk; and a balancer provided so as to be rotatable
integrally with the above-mentioned disk and having a ring-shaped
track portion accommodating balance members, wherein
[0041] the distance from the outer wall face of the outer periphery
of the above-mentioned ring-shaped track portion to the center axis
of the above-mentioned ring-shaped track portion is smaller than
the distance from the end face of the inner peripheral side of the
head being positioned at the innermost track to the center axis of
the above-mentioned ring-shaped track portion.
[0042] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, even if a mounted unbalanced disk is rotated
at high speed, vibration can be suppressed sufficiently, whereby it
is possible to attain a low-profile disk drive apparatus capable of
carrying out high-rate transfer.
[0043] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention from another point of view comprises:
[0044] a motor base to which a spindle motor for rotating a disk is
secured;
[0045] a sub-base over which the above-mentioned motor base is
installed via elastic bodies, and on which a head for carrying out
recording or reproduction on the above-mentioned disk is provided
movably in the radial direction of the above-mentioned disk;
and
[0046] a balancer provided so as to be rotatable integrally with
the above-mentioned disk and having a ring-shaped track portion
accommodating balance members.
[0047] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, the vibration of the disk can be suppressed
securely regardless of the magnitude of the mass imbalance of the
disk, whereby stable recording or reproduction can be attained, and
it is possible to attain a disk drive apparatus capable of carrying
out high-speed rotation.
[0048] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention from another point of view is configured so that the
above-mentioned disk is rotated at a frequency higher than the
primary resonance frequency of the whirling vibration of the
above-mentioned motor base due to the deformation of the
above-mentioned elastic bodies.
[0049] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, the vibration of the disk can be suppressed
securely regardless of the magnitude of the mass imbalance of the
disk, whereby stable recording or reproduction can be attained, and
it is possible to attain a disk drive apparatus capable of carrying
out high-speed rotation.
[0050] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention from another point of view comprises:
[0051] a balancer provided so as to be rotatable integrally with a
mounted disk and having a ring-shaped track portion accommodating
spherical bodies, wherein the inner wall face of the outer
periphery of the above-mentioned ring-shaped track portion is
inclined with respect to the center axis of the above-mentioned
ring-shaped track portion.
[0052] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, even when the mass imbalance amount of the
mounted disk is very large, it is possible to attain a disk drive
apparatus having a high vibration suppression effect and being
capable of reducing undesirable noise.
[0053] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention from another point of view comprises:
[0054] a balancer provided so as to be rotatable integrally with a
mounted disk and having a ring-shaped track portion accommodating
spherical bodies, wherein the sectional shape of the inner wall
face of the outer periphery of the above-mentioned ring-shaped
track portion is a wedge.
[0055] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, vibration due to the mounted unbalanced disk
can be suppressed, and undesirable noise caused from the balancer
itself can be reduced.
[0056] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention from another point of view comprises:
[0057] a balancer provided so as to be rotatable integrally with a
mounted disk and having a ring-shaped track portion accommodating
spherical bodies, wherein the sectional shape of the inner wall
face of the outer periphery of the above-mentioned ring-shaped
track portion is a curve.
[0058] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, even when a disk having a large mass
imbalance is mounted, or even when a disk having a small mass
imbalance is mounted, vibration can be suppressed securely, and
undesirable noise can be reduced.
[0059] A balancer for a disk drive apparatus in accordance with the
present invention from another point of view is:
[0060] provided so as to be rotatable integrally with a mounted
disk and has a ring-shaped track portion accommodating spherical
bodies, wherein the inner wall face of the outer periphery of the
above-mentioned ring-shaped track portion is inclined with respect
to the center axis of the above-mentioned ring-shaped track
portion.
[0061] Therefore, in accordance with the balancer for the disk
drive apparatus of the present invention, noise caused from the
balancer itself can be suppressed.
[0062] A balancer for a disk drive apparatus in accordance with the
present invention from another point of view is:
[0063] provided so as to be rotatable integrally with amounted disk
and has a ring-shaped track portion accommodating spherical bodies,
wherein the sectional shape of the inner wall face of the outer
periphery of the above-mentioned ring-shaped track portion is a
wedge.
[0064] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, noise caused from the balancer itself can be
suppressed.
[0065] A balancer for a disk drive apparatus in accordance with the
present invention from another point of view is:
[0066] provided so as to be rotatable integrally with amounted disk
and has a ring-shaped track portion accommodating spherical bodies,
wherein the sectional shape of the inner wall face of the outer
periphery of the above-mentioned ring-shaped track portion is a
curve.
[0067] Therefore, in accordance with the balancer for the disk
drive apparatus of the present invention, even when a disk having a
large mass imbalance is mounted, or even when a disk having a small
mass imbalance is mounted, vibration can be suppressed securely,
and undesirable noise caused from the balancer itself can be
suppressed.
[0068] A balancer for a disk drive apparatus in accordance with the
present invention from another point of view is:
[0069] provided so as to be rotatable integrally with amounted disk
and has a ring-shaped track portion accommodating balance members,
wherein
[0070] the balancer satisfies the relationship of:
h.gtoreq.f.sup.2.times..vertline.A-Z.vertline.,
[0071] when the total mass of the above-mentioned balance members
is M [g], the distance to the center of gravity of the total of the
above-mentioned balance members from the center axis of the
above-mentioned ring-shaped track portion is T [cm], a balance
amount Z [gcm] is represented by:
Z=M.times.T,
[0072] when the maximum rotation frequency of the above-mentioned
disk is f [Hz], the maximum of the mass imbalance amount of the
above-mentioned disk is A [gcm], and a constant is h.
[0073] Therefore, in accordance with the balancer for the disk
drive apparatus of the present invention, even if the disk is
rotated at high speed, vibration due to the mass imbalance of the
disk can be suppressed securely, whereby it is possible to attain a
disk drive apparatus capable of carrying out high-rate
transfer.
[0074] A balancer for a disk drive apparatus in accordance with the
present invention from another point of view is:
[0075] provided so as to be rotatable integrally with amounted disk
and has a ring-shaped track portion accommodating spherical bodies,
wherein
[0076] the balancer satisfies the relationship of:
h.gtoreq.f.sup.2.times..vertline.A-Z.vertline.,
[0077] when the radius of the above-mentioned spherical body is r
[cm], the radius of the inner wall face of the outer periphery of
the above-mentioned ring-shaped portion is S [cm], the number of
the above-mentioned spherical bodies is n, the specific gravity of
the above-mentioned spherical body is .rho., and a balance amount Z
[gcm] is represented by:
Z={fraction (4/3)}.pi.r.sup.2.rho.(S-r).sup.2.times.sin[n
sin.sup.-1{r/(S-r)}],
[0078] when the maximum rotation frequency of the above-mentioned
disk is f [Hz], the maximum of the mass imbalance amount of the
above-mentioned disk is A [gcm], and a constant is h.
[0079] In a balancer for a disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the present invention, the above-mentioned constant h may be
represented by:
h=fo.sup.2.times.Ao,
[0080] in the case when the maximum allowable rotation frequency
wherein vibration becomes an allowable value or less is fo [Hz] at
the time when a disk having a mass imbalance amount Ao [gcm] is
rotated in a condition wherein the above-mentioned balance amount
Z=0 [gcm].
[0081] In a balancer for a disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the present invention, it is preferable that the diameter of a disk
to be mounted is 12 [cm] or less, and that the above-mentioned
constant h is 8100.
[0082] Therefore, in accordance with the balancer for the disk
drive apparatus of the present invention, even if the disk is
rotated at high speed, vibration due to the mass imbalance of the
disk can be suppressed securely, whereby it is possible to attain a
disk drive apparatus capable of carrying out high-rate
transfer.
[0083] Furthermore, in order to attain the above-mentioned objects,
the disk drive apparatus of the present invention is a device
wherein a balancer having a ring-shaped track divided into plural
tracks and balance members movable along the divided tracks
respectively is provided so as to be rotatable integrally with a
disk; and concrete means thereof are described below.
[0084] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention comprises a balancer having a plurality of arc-shaped
tracks and balance members provided so as to be movable on the
above-mentioned arc-shaped tracks.
[0085] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, the vibration of the sub-base can be
suppressed securely regardless of the magnitude of the mass
imbalance of the disk, whereby stable recording or reproduction can
be attained, and it is possible to attain a disk drive apparatus
capable of carrying out high-speed rotation without losing
vibration-resistant and impact-resistant characteristics.
[0086] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention from another point of view comprises a balancer having
division means for dividing a ring-shaped track into plural tracks,
arc-shaped tracks formed by the above-mentioned division means, and
balance members provided so as to be movable on the above-mentioned
arc-shaped tracks.
[0087] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, the vibration of the sub-base can be
suppressed securely regardless of the magnitude of the mass
imbalance of the disk, whereby stable recording or reproduction can
be attained, and it is possible to attain a disk drive apparatus
capable of carrying out high-speed rotation without losing
vibration-resistant and impact-resistant characteristics.
[0088] In a disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention, the above-mentioned division means may be configured to
absorb shock.
[0089] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, noise caused from the balancer itself can be
suppressed.
[0090] In a disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention, in at least portions of the above-mentioned arc-shaped
tracks, the distance from the rotation axis of a disk to at least
one track increases in the rotation direction of the
above-mentioned disk.
[0091] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, the vibration of the sub-base can be
suppressed securely regardless of the magnitude of the mass
imbalance of the disk, whereby stable recording or reproduction can
be attained, and it is possible to attain a disk drive apparatus
capable of carrying out high-speed rotation without losing
vibration-resistant and impact-resistant characteristics.
[0092] In a disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention, the above-mentioned division means may be configured to
be held so as to be rotatable with respect to the ring-shaped
tracks.
[0093] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, the vibration of the sub-base can be
suppressed securely regardless of the magnitude of the mass
imbalance of the disk, whereby stable recording or reproduction can
be attained, and it is possible to attain a disk drive apparatus
capable of carrying out high-speed rotation without losing
vibration-resistant and impact-resistant characteristics.
[0094] In a disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention, the above-mentioned balance members may be formed of a
magnetic material, and magnetic field generation means having
magnetic poles may be disposed in the vicinity of the
above-mentioned division means.
[0095] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, noise caused from the balancer itself can be
suppressed regardless of the high speed or low speed of disk
rotation.
[0096] In a disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention, the above-mentioned balance members may be formed of a
magnetic material, magnetic field generation means having magnetic
poles may be disposed in the vicinity of the above-mentioned
division means, and shock-absorbing members may be provided in the
above-mentioned ring-shaped tracks at positions opposite to the
positions of the magnet poles of the above-mentioned magnetic field
generation means.
[0097] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, noise caused from the balancer itself can be
suppressed regardless of the high speed or low speed of disk
rotation.
[0098] In a disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention, the above-mentioned balance members may be formed of a
magnetic material, magnetic field generation means for magnetically
attracting the above-mentioned balance members may be provided, and
the connection portions between the above-mentioned division means
and the above-mentioned ring-shaped tracks may be formed of
curves.
[0099] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, noise caused from the balancer itself can be
suppressed regardless of the high speed or low speed of disk
rotation.
[0100] In a disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention, the above-mentioned ring-shaped tracks may be plural in
number.
[0101] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, the vibration of the sub-base can be
suppressed securely regardless of the magnitude of the mass
imbalance of the disk.
[0102] A balancer for a disk drive apparatus in accordance with the
present invention has a plurality of arc-shaped tracks and balance
members provided so as to be movable on the above-mentioned
arc-shaped tracks.
[0103] Therefore, in accordance with the balancer for the disk
drive apparatus of the present invention, the vibration of the
sub-base can be suppressed securely regardless of the magnitude of
the mass imbalance of the disk, whereby vibration and noise from
the balancer can be suppressed.
[0104] A balancer for a disk drive apparatus in accordance with the
present invention from another point of view has division means for
dividing a ring-shaped track into plural tracks, arc-shaped tracks
formed by the above-mentioned division means and balance members
provided so as to be movable on the above-mentioned arc-shaped
tracks.
[0105] Therefore, in accordance with the balancer for the disk
drive apparatus of the present invention, the vibration of the
sub-base can be suppressed securely regardless of the magnitude of
the mass imbalance of the disk, whereby vibration and noise from
the balancer can be suppressed.
[0106] In a balancer for a disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the present invention, the above-mentioned division means may be
configured to absorb shock.
[0107] Therefore, in accordance with the balancer for the disk
drive apparatus of the present invention, noise caused from the
balancer itself can be suppressed.
[0108] In a balancer for a disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the present invention, in at least portions of the above-mentioned
arc-shaped tracks, the distance from the rotation axis of a disk to
at least one track increases in the rotation direction of the
disk.
[0109] Therefore, in accordance with the balancer for the disk
drive apparatus of the present invention, the vibration of the
sub-base can be suppressed securely regardless of the magnitude of
the mass imbalance of the disk, whereby vibration and noise from
the balancer can be suppressed.
[0110] In a balancer for a disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the present invention, the above-mentioned division means may be
configured to be held so as to be rotatable with respect to the
above-mentioned ring-shaped tracks.
[0111] Therefore, in accordance with the balancer for the disk
drive apparatus of the present invention, the vibration of the
sub-base can be suppressed securely regardless of the magnitude of
the mass imbalance of the disk, whereby vibration and noise from
the balancer can be suppressed.
[0112] In a balancer for a disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the present invention, the above-mentioned balance members maybe
formed of a magnetic material, and magnetic field generation means
for magnetically attracting the above-mentioned balance members may
be provided.
[0113] Therefore, in accordance with the balancer for the disk
drive apparatus of the present invention, noise caused from the
balancer itself can be suppressed regardless of the high speed or
low speed of disk rotation.
[0114] In a balancer for a disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the present invention, the above-mentioned balance members may be
formed of a magnetic material, magnetic field generation means for
magnetically attracting the above-mentioned balance members may be
provided, and the connection portions between the above-mentioned
division means and the above-mentioned ring-shaped tracks may be
formed of curves.
[0115] Therefore, in accordance with the balancer for the disk
drive apparatus of the present invention, noise caused from the
balancer itself can be suppressed regardless of the high speed or
low speed of disk rotation.
[0116] A clamper for a disk drive apparatus in accordance with the
present invention comprises a balancer having a plurality of
arc-shaped tracks and balance members provided so as to be movable
on the above-mentioned arc-shaped tracks, and is configured to
rotatably hold a disk mounted on a turntable.
[0117] Therefore, in accordance with the clamper for the disk drive
apparatus of the present invention, the vibration of the sub-base
can be suppressed securely regardless of the magnitude of the mass
imbalance of the disk, whereby vibration and noise from the
balancer can be suppressed.
[0118] A spindle motor for a disk drive apparatus in accordance
with the present invention comprises a balancer having a plurality
of arc-shaped tracks and balance members provided so as to be
movable on the above-mentioned arc-shaped tracks.
[0119] Therefore, in accordance with the spindle motor for the disk
drive apparatus of the present invention, the vibration of the
sub-base can be suppressed securely regardless of the magnitude of
the mass imbalance of the disk, whereby vibration and noise from
the balancer can be suppressed.
[0120] A spindle motor for a disk drive apparatus in accordance
with the present invention from another point of view comprises a
balancer having a plurality of arc-shaped tracks and balance
members provided so as to be movable on the above-mentioned
arc-shaped tracks, wherein said balancer is provided so as to be
rotatable integrally with a rotor.
[0121] Therefore, in accordance with the spindle motor for the disk
drive apparatus of the present invention, the vibration of the
sub-base can be suppressed securely regardless of the magnitude of
the mass imbalance of the disk, whereby vibration and noise from
the balancer can be suppressed.
[0122] A spindle motor for a disk drive apparatus in accordance
with the present invention from another point of view comprises a
balancer having a plurality of arc-shaped tracks and balance
members provided so as to be movable on the above-mentioned
arc-shaped tracks, wherein said balancer is provided so as to be
rotatable integrally with a spindle shaft.
[0123] Therefore, in accordance with the spindle motor for the disk
drive apparatus of the present invention, the vibration of the
sub-base can be suppressed securely regardless of the magnitude of
the mass imbalance of the disk, whereby vibration and noise from
the balancer can be suppressed.
[0124] A turntable for a disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the present invention comprises a balancer having a plurality of
arc-shaped tracks and balance members provided so as to be movable
on the above-mentioned arc-shaped tracks, wherein a disk is mounted
thereon and the above-mentioned disk is supported rotatably.
[0125] Therefore, in accordance with the spindle motor for the disk
drive apparatus of the present invention, the vibration of the
sub-base can be suppressed securely regardless of the magnitude of
the mass imbalance of the disk, whereby vibration and noise from
the balancer can be suppressed.
[0126] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the disk
drive apparatus of the present invention relates to a turntable and
a clamper used as means for holding a disk and rotating it
integrally; and concrete means thereof are described below.
[0127] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention comprises disk support means for supporting at least one
side of the above-mentioned disk by using four or more projections,
wherein the tips of the above-mentioned projections are
substantially on the same plane.
[0128] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, the disk can be held securely; and in the
case when the disk is rotated at high speed, vibration and noise
due to the imbalance, such as a face deflection, of the disk can be
reduced, whereby it is possible to attain a disk drive apparatus
capable of carrying out high-rate data transfer.
[0129] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention from another point of view comprises:
[0130] a turntable on which a disk is mounted; and
[0131] a clamper having four or more projections, the tips of which
are substantially on the same plane, wherein the above-mentioned
disk is held between the above-mentioned projections and the
above-mentioned turntable.
[0132] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, the disk can be held securely by using the
clamper; and in the case when the disk is rotated at high speed,
vibration and noise due to the imbalance, such as a face
deflection, of the disk can be reduced, whereby stable
recording/reproduction can be attained, and it is possible to
attain a disk drive apparatus capable of carrying out high-rate
data transfer.
[0133] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention from another point of view comprises:
[0134] a turntable for supporting a disk by using four or more
projections, the tips of which are substantially on the same plane;
and
[0135] a clamper used with the above-mentioned turntable to hold
the above-mentioned disk therebetween.
[0136] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, the disk can be held securely by using the
turntable, and vibration and noise in the case when the disk is
rotated at high speed can be reduced.
[0137] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention from another point of view comprises:
[0138] a turntable for supporting a disk by using four or more
projections, the tips of which are substantially on the same plane;
and
[0139] a clamper having four or more projections and holding the
above-mentioned disk between the projections and the projections of
the above-mentioned turntable.
[0140] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, the disk can be held securely between the
turntable and the clamper, and vibration and noise in the case when
the disk is rotated at high speed can be reduced.
[0141] In the disk drive apparatus of the present invention, in
addition to the means of the above-mentioned disk drive apparatus,
the projections of the above-mentioned turntable and the
projections of the above-mentioned clamper may be provided so as to
be opposite to each other.
[0142] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, the disk can be held more securely between
the turntable and the clamper, and vibration and noise in the case
when the disk is rotated at high speed can be reduced.
[0143] A disk drive apparatus of the present invention, in addition
to the means of the above-mentioned disk drive apparatus, may
comprise:
[0144] a sub-base to which a disk rotation drive motor is
secured;
[0145] a main base over which the above-mentioned sub-base is
installed via elastic bodies; and
[0146] a balancer having a ring-shaped track portion accommodating
plural spherical bodies therein and provided so as to be rotatable
integrally with a disk.
[0147] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, the balls of the balancer can be stabilized,
whereby imbalance due to the eccentricity of the disk at the time
of rotation can be reduced securely.
[0148] In the disk drive apparatus of the present invention, the
above-mentioned projections may be disposed on a circumference
being coaxial with the rotation center of a disk.
[0149] In the disk drive apparatus of the present invention, the
above-mentioned projections may be disposed on circumferences
having different diameters and being coaxial with the rotation
center of a disk.
[0150] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, vibration and noise in the case when the
disk being held is rotated at high speed can be reduced
further.
[0151] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention from another point of view comprises:
[0152] a turntable provided with an elastic body on a face thereof
on which a disk used as a recording medium is mounted; and
[0153] a clamper having four or more projections, the tips of which
are substantially on the same plane, and holding the
above-mentioned disk between the above-mentioned projections and
the above-mentioned turntable.
[0154] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, the unevenness on the disk mounting face of
the turntable can be improved easily, and vibration and noise in
the case when the disk is rotated at high speed can be reduced.
[0155] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention from another point of view comprises:
[0156] a turntable for supporting a disk by using four or more
projections, the tips of which are substantially on the same plane;
and
[0157] a clamper provided with an elastic body on a face thereof
for holding the above-mentioned disk to hold the above-mentioned
disk between the above-mentioned elastic body and the
above-mentioned turntable.
[0158] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, the unevenness on the disk holding face of
the clamper can be improved easily, and vibration and noise in the
case when the disk is rotated at high speed can be reduced.
[0159] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with the present
invention from another point of view comprises:
[0160] a turntable provided with an elastic body on a face thereof
on which a disk used as a recording medium is mounted; and
[0161] a clamper provided with an elastic body on a face thereof
for holding the above-mentioned disk to hold the above-mentioned
disk between the above-mentioned elastic body and the
above-mentioned turntable.
[0162] Therefore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatus of
the present invention, the unevenness on the disk mounting face of
the turntable and the disk holding face of the clamper can be
improved easily, and vibration and noise in the case when the disk
is rotated at high speed can be reduced.
[0163] While the novel features of the invention are set forth
particularly in the appended claims, the invention, both as to
organization and content, will be better understood and
appreciated, along with other objects and features thereof, from
the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0164] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the
spindle motor 2 of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with the
first embodiment of the present invention.
[0165] FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view showing only the spherical
body balancer 22a provided integrally with the rotor 80 of the disk
drive apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of FIG.
1.
[0166] FIG. 3 is a graph showing the measured values of the
vibration acceleration of a sub-base 6 in order to show the effects
of the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0167] FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the
spindle motor 2 of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with the
second embodiment of the present invention.
[0168] FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the
spindle motor 2 of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with the
third embodiment of the present invention.
[0169] FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the vicinity of the
balancer 22c provided integrally with the rotor 80 of the disk
drive apparatus in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the
present invention.
[0170] FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the vicinity of the
balancer 22d provided integrally with the rotor 80 of the disk
drive apparatus in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the
present invention.
[0171] FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the vicinity of the
balancer 22e provided integrally with the rotor 80 of the disk
drive apparatus in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the
present invention.
[0172] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a conventional disk
drive apparatus.
[0173] FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the
spindle motor of the conventional disk drive apparatus.
[0174] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating the movement of the balls of
a balancer in the conventional disk drive apparatus.
[0175] FIG. 12 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the
spindle motor of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with the
seventh embodiment of the present invention.
[0176] FIG. 13 is a plan sectional view illustrating forces acting
on the balls of a balancer of the disk drive apparatus in
accordance with the seventh embodiment of the present
invention.
[0177] FIG. 14 is a view illustrating the movement of the balls of
the balancer in the case when a disk having a mass imbalance is
rotated at high speed by the disk drive apparatus in accordance
with the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
[0178] FIG. 15 is a view illustrating the movement of the balls of
the balancer in the case when a uniform disk having no mass
imbalance is rotated at high speed by the disk drive apparatus in
accordance with the seventh embodiment of the present
invention.
[0179] FIG. 16 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration
of another balancer of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
[0180] FIG. 17 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration
of another balancer of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
[0181] FIG. 18 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration
of another balancer of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
[0182] FIG. 19 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration
of another balancer of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
[0183] FIG. 20 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration
of another balancer of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
[0184] FIG. 21 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration
of another balancer of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
[0185] FIG. 22 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration
of another balancer of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
[0186] FIG. 23 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration
of another balancer of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
[0187] FIG. 24 shows a plan sectional view (a) and a vertical
sectional view (b) showing the configurations of other two kinds of
balancers of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with the
seventh embodiment of the present invention.
[0188] FIG. 25 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration
of a balancer of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with the
eighth embodiment of the present invention.
[0189] FIG. 26 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration
of another balancer of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the eighth embodiment of the present invention.
[0190] FIG. 27 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration
of another balancer of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the eighth embodiment of the present invention.
[0191] FIG. 28 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration
of a balancer of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with the
ninth embodiment of the present invention.
[0192] FIG. 29 is a view illustrating a problem in the balancers of
the disk drive apparatuses in accordance with the seventh
embodiment of the present invention.
[0193] FIG. 30 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration
of another balancer of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
[0194] FIG. 31 is a view illustrating the movement of the balls of
the balancer in the case when a disk having a mass imbalance is
rotated at high speed by the disk drive apparatus in accordance
with the 10th embodiment of the present invention.
[0195] FIG. 32 is a view illustrating the movement of the balls of
the balancer in the case when a uniform disk having no mass
imbalance is rotated at high speed by the disk drive apparatus in
accordance with the 10th embodiment of the present invention.
[0196] FIG. 33 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration
of another balancer of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the 10th embodiment of the present invention.
[0197] FIG. 34 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration
of another balancer of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the 10th embodiment of the present invention.
[0198] FIG. 35 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration
of another balancer of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the 10th embodiment of the present invention.
[0199] FIG. 36 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration
of another balancer of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the 10th embodiment of the present invention.
[0200] FIG. 37 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration
of another balancer of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the 10th embodiment of the present invention.
[0201] FIG. 38 is a view illustrating the movement of the balls of
the balancer in the case when a disk having a mass imbalance is
rotated at high speed by the disk drive apparatus in accordance
with the 11th embodiment of the present invention.
[0202] FIG. 39 is a view illustrating the movement of the balls of
the balancer in the case when a disk having a mass imbalance is
rotated at high speed by the disk drive apparatus in accordance
with the 11th embodiment of the present invention.
[0203] FIG. 40 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration
of a balancer of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with the
12th embodiment of the present invention.
[0204] FIG. 41 is a plan sectional view showing the configuration
of a balancer of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with the
13th embodiment of the present invention.
[0205] FIG. 42 is a perspective view showing a condition wherein a
disk 501 is mounted on the conventional disk drive apparatus and
secured by a clamper 581.
[0206] FIG. 43 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the
spindle motor 502 of the conventional disk drive apparatus.
[0207] FIG. 44 is a side sectional view showing the vibration of
the disk 501 in the case when the disk 501 is mounted on the
turntable 582 of the conventional disk drive apparatus and
rotated.
[0208] FIG. 45 is a plan view showing the two-division mode of the
vibration of the disk 501 of the conventional disk drive
apparatus.
[0209] FIG. 46 is a plan view showing the four-division mode of the
vibration of the disk 501 of the conventional disk drive
apparatus.
[0210] FIG. 47 is a plan view showing the six-division mode of the
vibration of the disk 501 of the conventional disk drive
apparatus.
[0211] FIG. 48 is a plan view showing the eight-division mode of
the vibration of the disk 501 of the conventional disk drive
apparatus.
[0212] FIG. 49 is a graph showing the result of the vibration
analysis of the disk 501 of the conventional disk drive
apparatus.
[0213] FIG. 50 shows a side sectional view of the clamper 581(a) of
the conventional disk drive apparatus and a reverse-side view (b)
of the clamper 581 showing the face of the clamper 581 making
contact with the disk 501.
[0214] FIG. 51 is a side sectional view showing the difference in
the vibration of the disk 501 depending on the difference in the
face of the clamper 581 of the conventional disk drive apparatus
making contact with the disk 501.
[0215] FIG. 52 is a perspective view showing a condition wherein
the disk 501 is mounted on the disk drive apparatus of the 14
embodiment of the present invention, and secured with a clamper
541.
[0216] FIG. 53 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the
spindle motor 502 of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with
the 14th embodiment of the present invention.
[0217] FIG. 54 shows a side sectional view (a) and a reverse-side
view (b) showing the clamper 541 of the disk drive apparatus in
accordance with the 14th embodiment of the present invention.
[0218] FIG. 55 shows a side sectional view (a) and a reverse-side
view (b) showing another clamper 541 of the disk drive apparatus in
accordance with the 14th embodiment of the present invention.
[0219] FIG. 56 shows a side sectional view (a) and a reverse-side
view (b) showing another clamper 541 of the disk drive apparatus in
accordance with the 14th embodiment of the present invention.
[0220] FIG. 57 is a partially enlarged view showing the shapes of
the clamper projections 551 provided on the clamper 541 of the disk
drive apparatus in accordance with the 14th embodiment of the
present invention.
[0221] FIG. 58 is a reverse-side view showing the dispositions of
the clamper projections 551 provided on another clamper 541 of the
disk drive apparatus in accordance with the 14th embodiment of the
present invention.
[0222] FIG. 59 shows a side sectional view (a) and a reverse-side
view (b) showing the vicinity of the clamper 541 of the disk drive
apparatus in accordance with the 15th embodiment of the present
invention.
[0223] FIG. 60 shows a side sectional view (a) and a reverse-side
view (b) showing the vicinity of the clamper 413 of the disk drive
apparatus in accordance with the 16th embodiment of the present
invention.
[0224] FIG. 61 is a perspective view showing the positioning
mechanism of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with the 16th
embodiment of the present invention.
[0225] FIG. 62 shows side sectional views showing the vicinity of
the clamper 414 of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with the
17th embodiment of the present invention, showing conditions at
rest (a) and at the time of rotation (b).
[0226] FIG. 63 shows plan sectional views showing the clamper 541
of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with the 17th embodiment
of the present invention, showing conditions at rest (a) and at the
time of rotation (b) and (c).
[0227] FIG. 64 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the
clamper 414 of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with the 17th
embodiment of the present invention.
[0228] FIG. 65 shows a side sectional view (a) and a reverse-side
view (b) showing the vicinity of a clamper 415 of the disk drive
apparatus in accordance with the 18th embodiment of the present
invention.
[0229] FIG. 66 is a side sectional view showing the magnitude of
disk deformation and vibration depending on the disk securing
method of the clamper in the disk drive apparatus.
[0230] FIG. 67 shows a side sectional view (a) and a reverse-side
view (b) showing the vicinity of another clamper 415 of the disk
drive apparatus in accordance with the 18th embodiment of the
present invention.
[0231] FIG. 68 shows a side sectional view (a) and a reverse-side
view (b) showing the vicinity of another clamper 415 of the disk
drive apparatus in accordance with the 18th embodiment of the
present invention.
[0232] FIG. 69 shows a side sectional view (a) of the vicinity of a
clamper 541 and a reverse-side view (b) of the clamper 541, showing
the positional relationship between the dispositions of the clamper
projections 551 provided on the clamper 541 of the disk drive
apparatus in accordance with the 19th embodiment of the present
invention and a turntable-use rubber sheet 571 stuck to the
turntable 216.
[0233] FIG. 70 shows a side sectional view (a) of the vicinity of
another 416 clamper 416 and a reverse-side view (b) of the clamper
416, showing the positional relationship between a clamper-use
rubber sheet 572 stuck to the clamper 416 of the disk drive
apparatus in accordance with the 19th embodiment of the present
invention and the dispositions of the clamper projections 552
provided on the turntable 212.
[0234] FIG. 71 shows a side sectional view (a) of the vicinity of
another 416 clamper 416 and a reverse-side view (b) of the clamper
416, showing the positional relationship between the clamper-use
rubber sheet 572 stuck to the clamper 416 of the disk drive
apparatus in accordance with the 19th embodiment of the present
invention and the turntable-use rubber sheet 571 stuck to the
turntable 216.
[0235] FIG. 72 is a perspective view showing the conventional disk
drive apparatus.
[0236] FIG. 73 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the
spindle motor 502 of the conventional disk drive apparatus.
[0237] It will be recognized that some or all of the Figures are
schematic representations for purposes of illustration and do not
necessarily depict the actual relative sizes or locations of the
elements shown.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
First Embodiment
[0238] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment
of the present invention will be described below referring to the
accompanying drawings.
[0239] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the
spindle motor 2 of the disk drive apparatus in accordance with the
first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan
sectional view showing only the hollow ring-shaped portion 23 used
as a ring-shaped track portion provided so as to be rotatable
integrally with the rotor 80 of the first embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 3 shows the measured values of the vibration
acceleration of a sub-base 6 in order to show the effects of the
disk drive apparatus of the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0240] In the disk drive apparatus of the first embodiment, the
disk 1 mounted on a turntable 110 is configured so as to be rotated
by the spindle motor 2, and a head (not shown) is used to read data
or write data. In addition, in the disk drive apparatus of the
first embodiment, a head drive mechanism comprising a rack, a
pinion and the like, which converts a rotation motion into a linear
motion, and a head drive motor are provided as shown in the
above-mentioned FIG. 72. The head is configured so as to be moved
in the radial direction of the disk 1 by this head drive mechanism.
The spindle motor 2, the head drive motor, the head drive mechanism
and the like are mounted on the sub-base 6. Vibration and impact
transmitted from outside the device to the sub-base 6 are dampened
by insulators 7 (elastic bodies). The sub-base 6 is mounted on a
main base 8 via these insulators 7. The main unit of the disk drive
apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is configured so as to be built in a
computer or the like via a frame (not shown) installed on the main
base 8.
[0241] In FIG. 1, the turntable 110 is secured to the shaft 21 of
the spindle motor 2 and rotatably supports the clamp area 11 of the
disk 1. Inside the boss 14 formed on the turntable 110, a
positioning ball 116 making contact with the corner portion of the
clamp hole 12 of the disk 1 by virtue of a pressing means 113, such
as a coil spring, is built in. In this way, the disk 1 is securely
disposed at a predetermined position on the turntable 110 by the
pressing operation of the positioning ball 116.
[0242] As described above, in the disk drive apparatus of the first
embodiment, the disk 1 on the turntable 110 is pressed and secured
by the positioning ball 116, thereby being configured so as to be
rotated coaxially together with the rotor 80 of the spindle motor
2.
[0243] As shown in FIG. 1, the disk drive apparatus of the first
embodiment comprises a spherical body balancer 22arotatable
integrally with the rotor 80 of the spindle motor 2. FIG. 2 is a
plan sectional view showing only the spherical body balancer
22a.
[0244] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the spherical body balancer 22aof
the first embodiment comprises a hollow ring-shaped portion 23 used
as a ring-shaped track portion having a ring-shaped passage
provided coaxially with the spindle shaft 21 of the spindle motor
2, and a plurality of spherical bodies 24 movably accommodated
inside the passage of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23.
[0245] As described above, in the condition wherein the disk 1 is
clamped on the turntable 110 by the positioning ball 116, by making
the positioning ball 116 contact with the corner portion of the
clamp hole 12, the disk 1 is positioned and disposed at the
predetermined position, and held on the turntable 110 by the
pressing force of the coil spring used as the pressing means 113,
just as in the case of the conventional disk drive apparatus shown
in the above-mentioned FIG. 73. The disk 1 held in this way is
rotated integrally with the turntable 110, the rotor 80 and the
spherical body balancer 22a by the spindle motor 2.
[0246] Furthermore, the disk drive apparatus of the first
embodiment uses the insulators (elastic bodies) 7 having low
rigidity to connect the sub-base 6 to the main base 8. In the disk
drive apparatus of the first embodiment, the primary resonance
frequency of the mechanical vibration of the sub-base 6 due to the
deformation of the insulators 7, having the direction parallel to
the recording face of the disk 1, is set lower than the rotation
frequency of the disk 1. More specifically, in the first
embodiment, the rotation frequency of the disk 1 is set at about
100 Hz, and both the primary resonance frequency of the vibration
of the sub-base 6 in the direction (access direction) wherein the
head is driven by the head drive mechanism and the primary
resonance frequency of the vibration of the sub-base 6 in the
direction perpendicular thereto are set at about 60 Hz.
[0247] In the disk drive apparatus of the first embodiment of the
present invention configured as described above, operation in the
case when the disk 1 having a large mass imbalance amount is
rotated at 100 Hz will be described referring to FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0248] First, a centrifugal force F (referred to as an imbalance
force) acts on the center of gravity G1 of the disk 1, and the
direction of the action rotates as the disk 1 rotates. This
imbalance force F deforms the insulators 7, and the sub-base 6 and
the whole of the components mounted on the sub-base 6 whirl at the
rotation frequency of the disk 1. In the first embodiment, the
primary resonance frequency (about 60 Hz) of the sub-base 6 due to
the deformation of the insulators 7 is set lower than the rotation
frequency (about 100 Hz) of the disk 1. Therefore, the displacement
direction of the sub-base 6 and the action direction of the
imbalance force F are nearly opposite to each other at all
times.
[0249] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the whirling center axis P1
of the disk 1 rotating on the sub-base 6 is disposed between the
center of gravity G1 of the disk 1 on which the imbalance force F
acts and the rotation center axis P0 of the spindle motor.
[0250] In the above-mentioned condition, since the hollow
ring-shaped portion 23 integrally provided with the rotor 80 is
positioned so as to be coaxial with the rotation center axis P0 of
the spindle motor 2, the center of the hollow ring-shaped portion
23, i.e., the center P2 of the inner wall face 25 of the outer
periphery thereof, coincides with the rotation center axis P0 of
the spindle motor 2. Therefore, the hollow ring-shaped portion 23
carries out whirling operation around the whirling center axis
P1.
[0251] During this whirling operation, a centrifugal force q acts
on the spherical body 24 (a spherical body positioned at the upper
portion in FIG. 2, for example) accommodated in the hollow
ring-shaped portion 23 in the direction of connecting the whirling
center axis P1 to the center of gravity of the spherical body 24.
In addition, since the movement of the spherical body 24 is
restricted by the inner wall face 25 of the outer periphery of the
hollow ring-shaped portion 23, a reaction N from the inner wall
face 25 of the outer periphery acts on the spherical body 24. This
reaction N from the inner wall face 25 of the outer periphery acts
toward the center P2 of the inner wall face 25 of the outer
periphery. Therefore, a movement force R, i.e., the resultant force
of the centrifugal force q and the reaction N, acts on the
spherical body 24 in the direction of the tangent of the circle
centered at the center P2 of the inner wall face 25 of the outer
periphery, passing through the center of gravity of the spherical
body 24, and being away from the whirling center axis P1. By this
movement force R, the spherical body 24 is moved along the inner
wall face 25 of the outer periphery, that is, is moved in the
direction nearly opposite to the center of gravity G1 of the disk 1
with respect to the whirling center axis P1, whereby the spherical
body 24 and the other spherical bodies 24 gather together at the
position nearly opposite to the center of gravity G1.
[0252] As a result, when the component of the centrifugal force q,
acting on each of the spherical bodies 24 having gathered in the
same direction of the imbalance force, is a balance force zk, the
imbalance force F due to the rotation of the disk 1 is canceled by
the resultant force Zn of these balance forces zk. As a result, the
force acting on the sub-base 6 decreases. Therefore, the vibration
of the sub-base 6 occurring in the case when an unbalanced disk 1
is rotated is suppressed securely.
[0253] In the first embodiment of the present invention, since the
imbalance force F is canceled by the balance force Zn acting on the
spherical bodies 24 having gathered as described above, the
whirling radius X1 of the center P2 of the inner wall face 25 of
the outer periphery around the center axis P1 becomes nearly zero,
whereby the center P2 of the inner wall face 25 of the outer
periphery and the whirling center axis P1 shown in FIG. 2 nearly
coincide with each other.
[0254] As shown in FIG. 2, when the radius of the spherical body 24
is r [cm], the specific gravity thereof is .rho., the number of
pieces thereof is n, the radius of the inner wall face 25 of the
outer periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23 is S [cm], and
rotational angular velocity is .omega. [rad/sec], the centrifugal
force q acting on each spherical body 24 is represented by:
q={fraction (4/3)}.pi.r.sup.3.rho.(S-r).omega..sup.2 (1).
[0255] At this time, when the line connecting the center of gravity
G1 of the disk 1 to the center P2 of the inner wall face 25 of the
outer periphery is defined as a reference line in FIG. 2, and the
angle from the reference line of the spherical body 24 positioned
first on the upper side of the reference line is a as shown in FIG.
2, it is represented by:
.alpha.=sin.sup.-1{r/(S-r)} (2).
[0256] The angle .alpha.k between the reference line and the
position of the spherical body 24 located at the kth position from
the reference line is represented by:
.alpha.k=(2k-1) .alpha. (3).
[0257] And the balance force zk acting on the spherical body 24
located at the kth position from the reference line is represented
by:
zk=q cos(k) (4).
[0258] Therefore, when the number n of the spherical bodies is an
even number, and n=2v, the resultant force Zn of the balance forces
zk individually acting on the gathering spherical bodies 24 is
represented by:
Zn=2q{cos .alpha.+cos 3.alpha.+. . . +cos(2v-1).alpha.} (5).
[0259] When this expression is modified by using the
above-mentioned expressions (2), (3) and (4):
Zn=q.times.1/2.times.sin{2v sin.sup.-1(r/S-r)}/(r/S-r).
[0260] This expression is obtained. When the expression (1) is
substituted into this expression, when v is replaced with n, and
when the expression is arranged:
Zn={fraction (4/3)}.pi.r.sub.2.rho.(S-r).sub.2.times.sin[n
sin.sub.-1{r/(S-r)}].omega..sub.2.
[0261] This expression is obtained. When the ratio of the balance
force Zn with respect to the square of the rotational angular
velocity .omega. is a balance amount Z [gcm]:
Z=Zn/.omega..sup.2.
[0262] This expression is obtained. As a result:
Z={fraction (4/3)}.pi.r.sup.2.rho.(S-r).sup.2.times.sin[n
sin.sup.-1{r/(S-r)}] (6).
[0263] This expression is obtained.
[0264] After all, an imbalance force in proportion to the product
of the difference between the balance amount Z due to the spherical
bodies 24 and the mass imbalance amount A of the disk 1, that is,
the residual mass imbalance amount .vertline.A-Z.vertline., and the
square of the rotation frequency f [Hz] of the disk 1 acts on the
sub-base 6. Therefore, the vibration of the sub-base 6 can be
suppressed by making f.sup.2.vertline.A-Z.vertline. sufficiently
small.
[0265] In the disk drive apparatus of the first embodiment of the
present invention, h is used as a predetermined constant; the
radius r [cm], the specific weight .rho. and the number of the
spherical bodies 24, and the radius S [cm] of the inner wall face
25 of the outer periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23 are
set so that the balance amount Z represented by the expression (6)
satisfies the following expression:
h.gtoreq.f.sup.2.times..vertline.A-Z.vertline. (7).
[0266] Herein, the constant h means the magnitude of
f.sup.2.times.A at the time when the magnitude of the vibration of
the sub-base 6 is limited to the maximum allowable amount wherein
stable recording or reproduction can be attained. For example, the
maximum mass imbalance amount A of a 12 cm diameter CD-ROM disk is
about 1 gcm; in the conventional disk drive apparatus, when a disk
having a mass imbalance amount A of 1 gcm is rotated, the limit
rotation frequency thereof is about 90 Hz; when the disk was
rotated at 100 Hz or more, stable reproduction was unable to be
carried out, or noise increased to an undesirable level. In other
words, in the case of a CD-ROM disk drive apparatus, the maximum
allowable value hc represented by f.sup.2.times.A becomes:
hc=90.sup.2.times.1=8100 gcm/sec.sup.2.
[0267] In the disk drive apparatus of the first embodiment of the
present invention, in the case when a disk having a mass imbalance
amount A of 1 gcm is rotated at 100 Hz or more for example, the
following is obtained from the expression (7):
8100.gtoreq.100.sup.2.times.(1-Z).
[0268] Eventually, the following is obtained:
Z.gtoreq.0.19.
[0269] In other words, by setting the balance amount Z due to the
spherical bodies 24 at 0.19 gcm or more, the vibration amount of
the sub-base 6 can be suppressed to the allowable value or less
even if a CD-ROM disk having a mass imbalance amount A of 1 gcm is
rotated at 100 Hz. For this reason, by setting the radius r [cm],
the specific weight .rho. and the number of the spherical bodies
24, and the radius S [cm] of the inner wall face 25 of the outer
periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23 on the basis of the
expression (6) so that the balance amount Z due to the spherical
bodies 24 is 0.19 gcm or more, it is possible to attain a disk
drive apparatus having a sufficient vibration suppression effect
even if a disk having a mass imbalance amount A of 1 gcm is rotated
at 100 Hz.
[0270] The descriptions in the above-mentioned embodiment have been
provided with respect to a 12 cm diameter CD-ROM disk; however,
even when any 12 cm diameter disk is used as a general recording
medium, by setting the balance amount Z so that the maximum
allowable value hc is 8100 gcm/sec.sup.2 or less, an excellent
vibration suppression effect is obtained. Furthermore, even when a
disk smaller than 12 cm in diameter is used, by setting the balance
amount Z so that the maximum allowable value hc is 8100
gcm/sec.sup.2 or less, a vibration suppression effect is obtained
as a matter of course.
[0271] Moreover, according to the expression (7), in the case when
the rotation frequency of the disk 1 is raised to 120 Hz, the
balance amount Z of the spherical bodies 24 becomes:
Z.gtoreq.0.43.
[0272] Therefore, the radius r [cm], the specific weight .rho. and
the number of the spherical bodies 24, and the radius S [cm] of the
inner wall face 25 of the outer periphery of the hollow ring-shaped
portion 23 should only be set on the basis of the expression (6) so
that the balance amount Z becomes 0.43 gcm or more.
[0273] Furthermore, a similar effect is obtained even when disks
other than CD-ROM disks are used. For example, in the case of a
disk having a maximum mass imbalance amount A of 2 gcm, a rotation
frequency f0 is obtained wherein the magnitude of the vibration of
the sub-base 6 is suppressed to the maximum allowable amount so
that stable recording or reproduction can be attained while the
rotation frequency of the disk is changed in a condition without
mounting the spherical body balancer 22a. Then, the maximum
allowable value h, f0.sup.2.times.A, is calculated, and the
necessary balance amount Z due to the spherical bodies 24 at a
target rotation frequency f (>f0) is obtained from the
expression (7). In the end, by setting the radius r [cm], the
specific weight .rho. and the number of the spherical bodies 24,
and the radius S [cm] of the inner wall face 25 of the outer
periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23 so that the
necessary balance amount Z can be obtained from the expression (6),
it is possible to attain a disk drive apparatus capable of carrying
out stable recording or reproduction even if a disk having a mass
imbalance amount A of 2 gcm is rotated at the target rotation
frequency f.
[0274] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present
invention, the radius r [cm] and the number of the spherical bodies
24, and the radius S [cm] of the inner wall face 25 of the outer
periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23 are set to satisfy
the following expression.
r/(S-r).ltoreq.sin{.pi./(2n)} (8).
[0275] This is used to optimize the number of the spherical bodies
24. By modifying the expression (8):
n.ltoreq..pi./2/sin n.sup.-1{r/(S-r)} (9).
[0276] This expression is obtained.
[0277] This means that the maximum value of the number n of the
spherical bodies 24 is represented by the expression (9) in the
case when the radius r [cm] of the spherical bodies 24 and the
radius S [cm] of the inner wall face 25 of the outer periphery of
the hollow ring-shaped portion 23 have been determined.
[0278] Furthermore, the magnitude of the balance amount Z due to
the spherical bodies 24 can be obtained from the above-mentioned
expression (6). From the expression (6), the maximum value Zmax of
the balance amount Z is represented by:
Zmax={fraction (4/3)}.pi.r.sup.2.rho.(S-r).sup.2 (11),
[0279] at the time when
n sin.sup.-1{r/(S-r)}=.pi./2, that is,
n=.pi./2/sin.sup.-1{r/(S-r)} (10).
[0280] The expression (6) shows that the balance amount Z becomes
smaller than Zmax represented by the expression (11) when the
number n of the spherical bodies 24 is made larger than the value
calculated by the expression (10). In other words, it is desirable
that the number n of the spherical bodies 24 should be set at a
value satisfying the expression (9). By this setting, it is
possible to prevent the number n of the spherical bodies 24 from
being set more than necessary in the case when the radius r [cm] of
the spherical bodies 24 and the radius S [cm] of the inner wall
face 25 of the outer periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23
have been determined, whereby a necessary balance amount Z can be
obtained by using an optimum number of pieces.
[0281] In the first embodiment, the primary resonance frequency in
the direction parallel to the recording face of the disk 1 in the
mechanical vibration of the sub-base 6 due to the deformation of
the insulators 7 is set lower than the rotation frequency of the
disk 1. This is done so that the direction of the vibration
displacement due to the imbalance force F is set nearly opposite to
the action direction of the imbalance force F.
[0282] Generally, in a mechanical vibration system comprising a
spring and a mass, the phase of the frequency of an external force
acting on the mass near its resonance frequency begins to dislocate
from the phase of the frequency of the displacement due to the
external force. In addition, at a frequency sufficiently higher
than the resonance frequency, the dislocation between the phases
becomes an electrical angle of about 180 degrees, whereby the
action direction of the external force becomes opposite to the
direction of the displacement. In other words, by setting the
resonance frequency of the sub-base 6 at a frequency lower than the
rotation frequency of the disk 1, wherein the direction of the
vibration displacement due to the imbalance force F becomes nearly
opposite to the action direction of the imbalance force F, the
spherical bodies 24 gather at the positions nearly opposite to the
center of gravity G1 of the disk 1 as described above. In addition,
when the component of the centrifugal force q, acting on each of
the spherical bodies 24 in the same direction of the imbalance
force F, is a balance force zk, the action direction of the
resultant force Zn of the balance forces zk becomes nearly opposite
to the action direction of the imbalance force. Therefore, it is
desirable that the resonance frequency of the sub-base 6 should be
set in consideration of the direction of the vibration displacement
due to the imbalance force F at the rotation frequency of the disk
1.
[0283] FIG. 3 shows the measured values of the vibration
acceleration of the sub-base 6, and shows the results of an
experiment for examining effects by the disk drive apparatus of the
first embodiment using a disk 1 having a mass imbalance amount A of
about 1 gcm. In this experiment, an ACCELEROMETER, MODEL 2250A-10
made by ENDEVCO (California, USA) was used as an acceleration
sensor, and an ISOTRON AMPLIFIER, MODEL 102 made by ENDEVCO was
used as an amplifier for the acceleration sensor.
[0284] In this experiment, the vibration acceleration of the
sub-base 6 was measured when the disk 1 was rotated at about 100
Hz. (a) of FIG. 3 corresponds to the case of the conventional disk
drive apparatus with no spherical body balancer. As shown in (a) of
FIG. 3, vibration occurs at an acceleration of about 8 G at the
maximum in the conventional disk drive apparatus. (b) of FIG. 3
corresponds to the case of the disk drive apparatus of the first
embodiment of the present invention, and the vibration acceleration
thereof is suppressed to about 3 G.
[0285] As described above, in the disk drive apparatus of the first
embodiment, the vibration acceleration is suppressed drastically;
therefore, the side pressure caused by the imbalance force F and
applied to the bearings of the spindle motor 2 decreases, thereby
solving the problems of increased loss of the shaft torque, damaged
bearings and shorter service lives of the bearings.
[0286] As described above, thanks to the configuration of the disk
drive apparatus of the first embodiment, the vibration of the
sub-base 6 can be suppressed securely regardless of the mass
imbalance amount A of the mounted disk 1 and the rotation frequency
of the disk 1. Therefore, the disk drive apparatus of the first
embodiment can carry out stable recording or reproduction even if a
disk 1 having a large imbalance is rotated at high speed, whereby a
disk drive apparatus capable of rotating at high speed can be
attained.
Second Embodiment
[0287] Next, a disk drive apparatus in accordance with a second
embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to
the drawings. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity
of the spindle motor 2 of the disk drive apparatus in accordance
with the second embodiment of the present invention. The elements
substantially identical to those used for the disk drive apparatus
of the first embodiment shown in the above-mentioned FIG. 1 are
represented by the same numeral codes, and the descriptions for the
preceding embodiment are applied, thereby omitting overlap
descriptions.
[0288] The disk drive apparatus of the second embodiment of the
present invention has a hollow ring-shaped portion 23, used as a
ring-shaped track portion and having a ring-shaped passage
accommodating spherical bodies 24 therein, just as in the case of
the first embodiment. In the disk drive apparatus of the second
embodiment, when the recording face of the disk 1 held on the
turntable 110 is assumed to be a reference face, a spherical body
balancer 22b provided rotatably and integrally with the rotor 80 is
disposed on the same side of the head 3 with respect to this
reference face.
[0289] As shown in FIG. 4, the radius of the outer wall face 102 of
the outer periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23 in the
second embodiment is set smaller than the radius of the end face
103 of the inner peripheral side of the head 3 when the head 3 is
positioned at the innermost track 117. The other configurations are
the same as those of the above-mentioned first embodiment.
[0290] In the disk drive apparatus of the second embodiment
configured as described above, the action of the spherical body
balancer 22b is similar to that of the spherical body balancer 22a
of the above-mentioned first embodiment, and the vibration of the
sub-base 6 due to the mass imbalance of the disk 1 is suppressed
securely by the above-mentioned configurations.
[0291] Furthermore, in the disk drive apparatus of the second
embodiment of the present invention, when the recording face of the
disk 1 held on the turntable 110 is assumed to be the reference
face, the spherical body balancer 22b is disposed on the same side
of the head 3 with respect to this reference face; therefore, the
spherical body balancer 22b does not occupy any space above the
disk 1, whereby the device can be made lower in profile.
[0292] Moreover, the radius of the outer wall face 102 of the outer
periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23 is set smaller than
the radius of the end face 103 of the inner peripheral side of the
head 3 when the head 3 is positioned at the innermost track 117,
whereby the spherical body balancer 22b can be disposed in parallel
with the head 3. Therefore, when the recording face of the disk 1
is assumed to be the reference face, the spherical body balancer
22b does not occupy any new space even in the space on the same
side of the head 3 with respect to this reference face, whereby the
device can be made lower in profile even if the spherical body
balancer 22b is mounted.
[0293] In the disk drive apparatus of the second embodiment of the
present invention, the radius S of the inner wall face 25 of the
outer periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23 is required to
be made smaller; however, a sufficient vibration suppression effect
can be obtained by setting the radius r [cm], the specific weight
.rho. and the number of the spherical bodies 24, and the radius S
[cm] of the inner wall face 25 of the outer periphery of the hollow
ring-shaped portion 23 so as to satisfy the above-mentioned
expressions (6), (7) and (8), just as in the case of the
above-mentioned first embodiment. For example, in the case of a
CD-ROM disk, the radius of its innermost track 117 is 2.3 cm, and
the mass imbalance amount A of a 12 cm diameter CD-ROM disk is
about 1 gcm at the maximum. As described above, in the conventional
disk drive apparatus, when a disk having a mass imbalance amount A
of 1 gcm is rotated, the limit rotation frequency thereof is about
90 Hz. Therefore, in the case of a CD-ROM disk drive apparatus, the
maximum allowable value hc represented by f.sup.2.times.A
becomes:
hc=90.sup.2.times.1=8100 gcm/sec.sup.2.
[0294] In the case when a disk having a mass imbalance amount A of
1 gcm is rotated at 120 Hz or more for example even in the disk
drive apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention,
the following is obtained from the expression (7):
8100.gtoreq.120.sup.2.times.(1-Z).
[0295] Eventually, the following is obtained:
Z.gtoreq.0.43.
[0296] In other words, by setting the balance amount Z due to the
spherical bodies 24 at 0.43 gcm or more, the vibration amount of
the sub-base 6 can be suppressed to the allowable value or less
even if a CD-ROM disk having a mass imbalance amount A of 1 gcm is
rotated at 120 Hz.
[0297] The distance from the center of the lens 104 of the head for
reproduction on a CD-ROM disk to the end face 103 of the inner
peripheral side of the head 3 is generally about 0.7 cm, and the
clearance between the end face 103 of the inner peripheral side of
the head 3 and the outer wall face 102 of the outer periphery of
the hollow ring-shaped portion 23 is 0.1 cm. Furthermore, in the
case when the outer peripheral wall of the hollow ring-shaped
portion 23 is formed of a resin material, and when its thickness is
set at 0.1 cm, the radius S [cm] the inner wall face 25 of the
outer periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23 is represented
by:
S=2.3-0.7-0.1-0.1=1.4 cm.
[0298] When the head 3 is positioned at the innermost track 117,
the distance from the center of the lens 104 of the head 3 to the
center of the shaft of the spindle motor 2 is 2.3 cm.
[0299] In the second embodiment, when the spherical body 24 is
formed of a steel ball having a specific weight .rho. of about 7.8
and a radius r [cm] of 0.1 cm, the maximum number n of the
spherical bodies 24 is obtained from the expression (9), a modified
expression of the above-mentioned expression (8), as follows:
n.ltoreq.20 pieces,
[0300] from n.ltoreq..pi./2/sin.sup.-1{0.1/(1.4-0.1)]. In the case
when the maximum number of the spherical bodies 24 is 20, and when
the radius r=0.1 cm, the specific weight .rho.=7.8, n=13 and S=1.4
cm are substituted in the expression (6):
Z=0.55 gcm,
[0301] is obtained, and when the number n of the spherical bodies
24 is set the maximum value of 20, the balance amount Z due to the
spherical bodies 24 satisfies the necessary value of 0.43 gcm or
more.
[0302] Furthermore, a balance amount in the case when the number of
the spherical bodies 24 is decreased is obtained by using the
expression (6); when the number n is decreased to 12, the balance
amount Z becomes 0.44 gcm. Therefore, by using the spherical bodies
24 formed of steel balls having a radius r [cm] of 0.1 cm and by
setting the number n of the spherical bodies 24 in the range of 12
to 20, it is possible to attain a low-profile disk drive apparatus
having a sufficient vibration suppression effect even if a disk
having a mass imbalance amount A of 1 gcm is rotated at 120 Hz.
[0303] As described above, thanks to the configuration of the disk
drive apparatus of the second embodiment, the vibration of the
sub-base 6 can be suppressed securely without making the device
thicker even in the case when the mass imbalance amount A of the
mounted disk 1 is large. Therefore, the disk drive apparatus of the
second embodiment can carry out stable recording or reproduction
even if a disk 1 having a large mass imbalance is rotated at high
speed, whereby it is possible to attain a disk drive apparatus
being low in profile and capable of rotating at high speed.
Third Embodiment
[0304] Next, a disk drive apparatus in accordance with a third
embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to
the drawings. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity
of the spindle motor 2 of the disk drive apparatus in accordance
with the third embodiment of the present invention. The elements
substantially identical to those used for the disk drive
apparatuses of the above-mentioned first and second embodiments are
represented by the same numeral codes, and the descriptions for the
preceding embodiments are applied, thereby omitting overlap
descriptions.
[0305] In the disk drive apparatus of the third embodiment of the
present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, just as in the case of the
above-mentioned first embodiment, a spherical body balancer 22a is
formed so as to be rotatable integrally with the rotor 80 of the
spindle motor 2. The spherical body balancer 22a comprises a hollow
ring-shaped portion 23 used as a ring-shaped track portion having a
ring-shaped passage provided coaxially with the spindle shaft 21 of
the spindle motor 2, and a plurality of spherical bodies 24 movably
accommodated inside the passage of the hollow ring-shaped portion
23.
[0306] Furthermore, referring to FIG. 5, in the disk drive
apparatus of the third embodiment, the disk 1 on the turntable 110
is pressed and secured by the positioning ball 116, thereby being
configured so as to be rotated by the spindle motor 2. In this disk
drive apparatus, a head (not shown) is used to read data recorded
on the disk 1 or to write data on the disk 1. A motor base 9 to
which the spindle motor 2 is secured is mounted on the sub-base 6
via elastic bodies 40. In addition, the head drive motor, the head
drive mechanism and the like are mounted on the sub-base 6.
[0307] As shown in FIG. 5, the sub-base 6 is mounted on the main
base 8 via the insulators 7, and vibration and impact transmitted
from outside the device to the sub-base 6 are dampened by the
insulators 7. The main unit of the disk drive apparatus shown in
FIG. 5 is configured so as to be built in a computer or the like
via a frame (not shown) installed on the main base 8.
[0308] The disk drive apparatus of the third embodiment uses the
elastic bodies 40 having low rigidity to connect the motor base 9
to the sub-base 6. In the disk drive apparatus of the third
embodiment, the primary resonance frequency of the mechanical
vibration of the motor base 9 due to the deformation of the elastic
bodies 40, in the direction parallel to the recording face of the
disk 1, is set lower than the rotation frequency of the disk 1.
More specifically, the rotation frequency of the disk 1 is about
100 Hz. In addition, both the primary resonance frequency of the
vibration of the motor base 9 in the direction (tracking direction)
wherein the head is driven by the head drive mechanism and the
primary resonance frequency of the vibration of the motor base 9 in
the direction perpendicular thereto are set at about 60 Hz.
[0309] In the disk drive apparatus of the third embodiment of the
present invention configured as described above, operation in the
case when the disk 1 having a large mass imbalance amount A is
rotated at 100 Hz will be described referring to the
above-mentioned FIGS. 2 and 5.
[0310] First, a centrifugal force F (referred to as an imbalance
force) acts on the disk 1 at the center of gravity G1 thereof, and
the direction of the action rotates as the disk 1 rotates. By the
imbalance force F, the elastic bodies 40 are deformed, and the
motor base 9 as well as the spindle motor 2, the spherical body
balancer 22a and the disk 1 mounted on the motor base 9 whirl at
the rotation frequency of the disk 1. In the disk drive apparatus
of the third embodiment, the resonance frequency (about 60 Hz) of
the motor base 9 due to the deformation of the elastic bodies 40 is
set lower than the rotation frequency (about 100 Hz) of the disk 1.
Therefore, the displacement direction of the motor base 9 and the
action direction of the imbalance force F are nearly opposite to
each other at all times. In other words, the motor base 9 whirls in
a phase nearly opposite to that of the imbalance force F.
Therefore, just as in the case of the above-mentioned first
embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the whirling center axis P1 of the disk
1 rotating on the motor base 9 is disposed between the center of
gravity G1 of the disk 1 on which the imbalance force F acts and
the rotation center axis P0 of the spindle motor.
[0311] In the above-mentioned condition, since the hollow
ring-shaped portion 23 integrally provided with the rotor 80 is
positioned so as to be coaxial with the rotation center axis P0 of
the spindle motor 2, the center of the hollow ring-shaped portion
23, i.e., the center P2 of the inner wall face 25 of the outer
periphery thereof, coincides with the position of the rotation
center axis P0 of the spindle motor 2. Therefore, the hollow
ring-shaped portion 23 carries out whirling operation around the
whirling center axis P1.
[0312] At this time, a centrifugal force q acts on the spherical
body 24 accommodated in the hollow ring-shaped portion 23 in the
direction of connecting the whirling center axis P1 to the center
of gravity of the spherical body 24. In addition, the movement of
the spherical body 24 is restricted by the inner wall face 25 of
the outer periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23.
Therefore, a reaction N from the inner wall face 25 of the outer
periphery acts on the spherical body 24. This reaction N from the
inner wall face 25 of the outer periphery acts toward the center P2
of the inner wall face 25 of the outer periphery. Therefore, a
movement force R, i.e., the resultant force of the centrifugal
force q and the reaction N, acts on the spherical body 24 in the
direction of the tangent of the circle centered at the center P2 of
the inner wall face 25 of the outer periphery, passing through the
center of gravity of the spherical body 24, and being away from the
whirling center axis P1. By this movement force R, the spherical
body 24 is moved along the inner wall face 25 of the outer
periphery, whereby the spherical bodies 24 gather in the direction
nearly opposite to the center of gravity G1 of the disk 1 with
respect to the whirling center axis P1.
[0313] As a result, when the component of the centrifugal force q,
acting on each of the spherical bodies 24 having gathered in the
same direction of the imbalance force F, is a balance force zk, the
imbalance force F due to the rotation of the disk 1 is canceled by
the resultant force Zn of the balance forces zk, whereby the force
acting on the motor base 9 decreases. Therefore, even if the
unbalanced disk 1 is rotated, the vibration of the motor base 9 is
suppressed, whereby the vibration of the disk 1 mounted on the
motor base 9 is also suppressed. In addition, the vibration
transmitted to the sub-base 6 connected to the motor base 9 via the
elastic bodies 40 is reduced, and the vibration of the head 3
mounted on the sub-base 6 is also suppressed.
[0314] In the above-mentioned first embodiment, by setting the
resonance frequency (about 60 Hz) of the sub-base 6 due to the
deformation of the insulators 7 lower than the rotation frequency
(about 100 Hz) of the disk 1, it is attained that the hollow
ring-shaped portion 23 whirls in a phase nearly opposite to that of
the imbalance force F. On the other hand, in the disk drive
apparatus of the third embodiment of the present invention, by
mounting the motor base 9 over the sub-base 6 via the elastic
bodies 40 and by setting the resonance frequency (about 60 Hz) of
the motor base 9 due to the deformation of the elastic bodies 40
lower than the rotation frequency (about 100 Hz) of the disk 1, it
is attained that the hollow ring-shaped portion 23 whirls in a
phase nearly opposite to that of the imbalance force F. With this
configuration, just as in the case of the above-mentioned first
embodiment, the spherical bodies 24 securely gather toward the
position nearly opposite to the center of gravity G1 of the disk 1,
whereby the mass imbalance of the disk 1 is securely canceled by
the spherical bodies 24.
[0315] In order to raise the vibration suppression effect of the
spherical body balancer of the present invention, it is desirable
that the spherical bodies 24 gather accurately at position nearly
opposite to the center of gravity G1 of the disk 1, that the action
direction of the whirling of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23 and
the action direction of the imbalance force F are nearly opposite
to each other in phase as much as possible, and that the locus of
the whirling of the center of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23
forms a condition of a nearly perfect circle. Therefore, in the
third embodiment of the present invention, the elastic bodies 40
are newly provided to attain this optimum vibration condition. In
addition, the third embodiment can easily attain a condition more
optimal than the above-mentioned first embodiment wherein the
insulators 7 are used both in attaining the above-mentioned
vibration condition and in dampening the vibration and impact
transmitted from outside the device to the sub-base 6. For example,
by setting the shape of the motor base 9 so that the center of
gravity of the whole of the motor base 9 and the spindle motor 2
mounted on the motor base 9 is disposed at the rotation center axis
P0 of the spindle motor 2, and by disposing three or four elastic
bodies 40 at equiangular pitches on the same radius from the
rotation center axis P0, both the center of gravity of the whole of
the components mounted on the whirling motor base 9 and the support
center of the elastic bodies 40 can be positioned on the rotation
center axis P0 of the spindle motor 2. Therefore, in accordance
with the third embodiment, the locus of the whirling of the center
of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23 can form a nearly perfect
circle.
[0316] Furthermore, in the disk drive apparatus of the third
embodiment, the rigidity of the elastic body 40 can be set easily
at a desirable magnitude so that the whirling of the hollow
ring-shaped portion 23 and the action direction of the imbalance
force F are nearly opposite to each other in phase; and it is
possible to carry out setting so that only the whirling vibration
mode occurs by optimizing the rigidity of the elastic bodies 40 in
the direction of the rotation center axis P0 and in the direction
perpendicular thereto.
[0317] As described above, thanks to the configuration of the disk
drive apparatus of the third embodiment, it is possible to easily
attain the optimum vibration condition for further raising the
vibration suppression effect of the spherical body balancer 22a;
and even when the mass imbalance amount of the mounted disk 1 is
large, the vibration of the motor base 9 and the sub-base 6 can be
suppressed securely. Therefore, the disk drive apparatus of the
third embodiment can carry out stable recording or reproduction
even if a disk 1 having a large mass imbalance is rotated at high
speed, whereby a disk drive apparatus capable of rotating at high
speed can be attained.
Fourth Embodiment
[0318] Next, a disk drive apparatus in accordance with a fourth
embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to
the drawings. FIG. 6 is a plan sectional view showing a spherical
body balancer 22c provided integrally with the rotor 80 in the disk
drive apparatus of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
The elements substantially identical to those used for the disk
drive apparatus of the above-mentioned first embodiment are
represented by the same numeral codes, and the descriptions for the
preceding embodiment are applied, thereby omitting overlap
descriptions.
[0319] In the disk drive apparatus of the fourth embodiment of the
present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, just as in the case of the
above-mentioned first embodiment, the spherical body balancer 22c
is formed so as to be rotatable integrally with the rotor 80 of the
spindle motor 2. This spherical body balancer 22c comprises a
hollow ring-shaped portion 23c used as a ring-shaped track portion
provided coaxially with the spindle shaft 21 of the spindle motor
2, and a plurality of spherical bodies 24 movably accommodated
inside this hollow ring-shaped portion 23c.
[0320] Furthermore, in the disk drive apparatus of the fourth
embodiment of the present invention, the inner wall face 25c of the
outer periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23c of the
spherical body balancer 22c is inclined with respect to the center
axis (P2 of FIG. 6) of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23c. Except
for the above, the configuration is the same as that of the
above-mentioned first embodiment.
[0321] In the disk drive apparatus of the fourth embodiment
configured as described above, in the case when the disk 1 having a
large mass imbalance amount A is rotated, the hollow ring-shaped
portion 23c performs whirling operation around the whirling center
axis P1, just as in the case of the above-mentioned first
embodiment shown in FIG. 2.
[0322] At this time, a centrifugal force q acts on the spherical
body 24 accommodated in the hollow ring-shaped portion 23c in the
direction of connecting the whirling center axis P1 to the center
of gravity of the spherical body 24. In addition, since the
movement of the spherical body 24 is restricted by the inner wall
face 25c of the outer periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion
23, a reaction N from the inner wall face 25c of the outer
periphery acts on the spherical body 24. As shown in FIG. 6, this
reaction N from the inner wall face 25c of the outer periphery acts
perpendicular to the inner wall face 25c of the outer periphery;
therefore, it has a component N1 in the direction toward the center
P2 of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23c and a component N2 in the
direction parallel with the center axis P2 of the hollow
ring-shaped portion 23c. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, a movement
force R, i.e., the resultant force of the centrifugal force q and
the component N1 of the reaction N, acts on the spherical body 24
in the direction of the tangent of the circle centered at the
center P2 of the inner wall face 25c of the outer periphery,
passing through the center of gravity of the spherical body 24, and
being away from the whirling center axis P1. By this movement force
R, the spherical body 24 is moved along the inner wall face 25c of
the outer periphery, whereby the spherical bodies 24 gather in the
direction nearly opposite to the center of gravity G1 of the disk 1
with respect to the whirling center axis P1.
[0323] As a result, when the component of the centrifugal force q,
acting on each of the spherical bodies 24 having gathered in the
same direction of the imbalance force, is a balance force zk, the
imbalance force F due to the rotation of the disk 1 is canceled by
the resultant force Zn of the balance forces zk, whereby the force
acting on the sub-base 6 decreases. Therefore, the vibration of the
sub-base 6, occurring in the case when an unbalanced disk 1 is
rotated, is suppressed.
[0324] Furthermore, the spherical body 24 is pressed against the
bottom face of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23c by the component
N2 of the reaction N. Therefore, even if vibration and impact are
applied from outside the device in the direction of the center axis
P2 of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23c, the spherical body 24
remains the condition of making contact with the bottom face of the
hollow ring-shaped portion 23c by virtue of the component N2 of the
reaction N. For this reason, in the fourth embodiment, the
spherical body 24 does not freely move in the direction parallel
with the center axis P2 of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23c
inside the hollow ring-shaped portion 23c, whereby it is possible
to avoid the problem of generating noise due to collisions of the
spherical bodies 24 with the ceiling face and the bottom face of
the hollow ring-shaped portion 23c.
[0325] As described above, in the configuration of the fourth
embodiment of the present invention, thanks to the spherical body
balancer 22c, it is possible to suppress the vibration of the
sub-base 6, and it is possible to prevent undesirable noise from
occurring from the spherical body balancer 22c itself.
Fifth Embodiment
[0326] Next, a disk drive apparatus in accordance with a fifth
embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to
the drawings. FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view showing a spherical
body balancer 22d having a hollow ring-shaped portion 23d and
provided integrally with the rotor 80 in the disk drive apparatus
of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The elements
substantially identical to those used for the disk drive apparatus
of the above-mentioned first embodiment are represented by the same
numeral codes, and the descriptions for the preceding embodiment
are applied, thereby omitting overlap descriptions.
[0327] The disk drive apparatus of the fifth embodiment of the
present invention, just as in the case of the above-mentioned
fourth embodiment, is intended to decrease the level of noise
occurring from the balancer itself. As shown in FIG. 7, the
spherical body balancer 22d is formed so as to be rotatable
integrally with the rotor 80 of the spindle motor 2. This spherical
body balancer 22d comprises a hollow ring-shaped portion 23d used
as a ring-shaped track portion provided coaxially with the spindle
shaft 21 of the spindle motor 2, and a plurality of spherical
bodies 24 movably accommodated inside the hollow ring-shaped
portion 23d.
[0328] As shown in FIG. 7, the cross-section of the inner wall of
the outer periphery of the spherical body balancer 22d is formed in
a wedge shape. Except for the above, the configuration is the same
as that of the above-mentioned first embodiment.
[0329] In the disk drive apparatus of the fifth embodiment
configured as described above, in the case when the disk 1 having a
large mass imbalance amount A is rotated, the hollow ring-shaped
portion 23d performs whirling operation around the whirling center
axis P1, just as in the case of the above-mentioned first
embodiment shown in FIG. 2.
[0330] At this time, a centrifugal force q acts on the spherical
body 24 accommodated in the hollow ring-shaped portion 23d in the
direction of connecting the whirling center axis P1 to the center
of gravity of the spherical body 24. In this condition, in the disk
drive apparatus of the fifth embodiment, the inner wall faces 25d
and 25e of the outer periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion
23d, having a wedge shape, are formed symmetrical with respect to
the plane perpendicular to the center axis P2 of the hollow
ring-shaped portion 23d and including the centers of the inner wall
faces 25d and 25e of the outer periphery as shown in FIG. 7.
[0331] Therefore, the spherical body 24 is securely disposed at the
centers of the inner wall faces 25d and 25e of the outer periphery,
and the resultant force N5 of reactions N3 and N4 from the inner
wall faces 25d and 25e of the outer periphery acts on the spherical
body 24. Since the inner wall faces 25d and 25e of the outer
periphery are formed symmetrical with respect to the plane
perpendicular to the center axis P2 of the hollow ring-shaped
portion 23d, the action direction of the reaction N5 is the
direction toward the center P2 of the hollow ring-shaped portion
23d. Therefore, a movement force R, i.e., the resultant force of
the centrifugal force q and the reaction N5, acts on the spherical
body 24 in the direction of the tangent of the circle centered at
the center P2 of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23d, passing
through the center of gravity of the spherical body 24, and being
away from the whirling center axis P1. By this movement force R,
the spherical body 24 is moved along the inner wall faces 25d and
25e of the outer periphery, whereby the spherical bodies 24 gather
in the direction nearly opposite to the center of gravity G1 of the
disk 1 with respect to the whirling center axis P1.
[0332] As a result, when the component of the centrifugal force q,
acting on each of the spherical bodies 24 having gathered in the
same direction of the imbalance force, is a balance force zk, the
imbalance force F due to the rotation of the disk 1 is canceled by
the resultant force Zn of the balance forces zk, whereby the force
acting on the sub-base 6 decreases. Therefore, the vibration of the
sub-base 6, occurring in the case when the unbalanced disk 1 is
rotated, is suppressed.
[0333] Furthermore, the spherical body 24 is held at the centers of
the inner wall faces 25d and 25e of the outer periphery by the
components of the two reactions N3 and N4 from the inner wall faces
25d and 25e of the outer periphery in the direction of the center
axis P2 of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23d. Therefore, even if
vibration and impact are applied from outside the device in the
direction parallel to the center axis P2 of the hollow ring-shaped
portion 23d, the spherical body 24 does not move around inside the
hollow ting-shaped portion 23d in the direction parallel to the
center axis P2 of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23d. For this
reason, in the disk drive apparatus of the fifth embodiment, it is
possible to avoid the problem of causing noise due to collisions of
the spherical bodies 24 with the ceiling face and the bottom face
of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23d.
[0334] As described above, in the configuration of the fifth
embodiment of the present invention, thanks to the spherical body
balancer 22d, it is possible to suppress the vibration of the
sub-base 6, and it is also possible to prevent undesirable noise
from occurring from the spherical body balancer 22d itself.
Sixth Embodiment
[0335] Next, a disk drive apparatus in accordance with a sixth
embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to
the drawings. FIG. 8 is a plan sectional view showing a spherical
body balancer 22e having a hollow ring-shaped portion 23e and
provided integrally with the rotor 80 in the disk drive apparatus
of the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The elements
substantially identical to those used for the disk drive apparatus
of the above-mentioned first embodiment are represented by the same
numeral codes, and the descriptions for the preceding embodiment
are applied, thereby omitting overlap descriptions.
[0336] The disk drive apparatus of the sixth embodiment of the
present invention, just as in the cases of the above-mentioned
fourth and fifth embodiments, is intended to decrease noise
occurring from the balancer itself. As shown in FIG. 8, the
spherical body balancer 22e is formed so as to be rotatable
integrally with the rotor 80 of the spindle motor 2. This spherical
body balancer 22e comprises a hollow ring-shaped portion 23e used
as a ring-shaped track portion having a ring-shaped passage and
provided coaxially with the spindle shaft 21 of the spindle motor
2, and a plurality of spherical bodies 24 movably accommodated
inside the hollow ring-shaped portion 23e.
[0337] In the disk drive apparatus of the sixth embodiment of the
present invention, the cross-section of the inner wall 25f of the
outer periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23e is formed in
a curved shape (concave shape). Except for the above, the
configuration is the same as that of the above-mentioned first
embodiment.
[0338] In the disk drive apparatus of the sixth embodiment
configured as described above, in the case when the disk 1 having a
large mass imbalance amount A is rotated, the hollow ring-shaped
portion 23e performs whirling operation around the whirling center
axis P1, just as in the case of the above-mentioned first
embodiment shown in FIG. 2.
[0339] At this time, a centrifugal force q acts on the spherical
body 24 accommodated in the hollow ring-shaped portion 23e in the
direction of connecting the whirling center axis P1 to the center
of gravity of the spherical body 24. The inner wall face 25f of the
outer periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23e has the shape
of a concave face in the cross-section on the plane including the
center axis P2 of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23e as shown in
FIG. 8; and the curvature of this concave face is set smaller than
the curvature of the outer face of the spherical body 24.
Therefore, the spherical body 24 is held at the position of the
contact point of the tangent to the inner wall face 25f of the
outer periphery and in parallel with the center axis P2 of the
hollow ring-shaped portion 23e by the centrifugal force q and the
reaction from the inner wall face 25f of the outer periphery. At
this time, the reaction N acting on the spherical body 24 from the
hollow ring-shaped portion 23e generates in the direction
perpendicular to the center axis P2 of the hollow ring-shaped
portion 23e and in the direction toward the center axis P2 of the
hollow ring-shaped portion 23e. Therefore, a movement force R,
i.e., the resultant force of the centrifugal force q and the
reaction N, acts on the spherical body 24 in the direction of the
tangent of the circle centered at the center P2 of the hollow
ring-shaped portion 23e, passing through the center of gravity of
the spherical body 24, and being away from the whirling center axis
P1. By this movement force R, the spherical body 24 is moved in the
circumferential direction of the inner wall face 25f of the outer
periphery, whereby the spherical bodies 24 gather in the direction
nearly opposite to the center of gravity G1 of the disk 1 with
respect to the whirling center axis P1.
[0340] As a result, when the component of the centrifugal force q,
acting on each of the spherical bodies 24 having gathered in the
same direction of the imbalance force, is a balance force zk, the
imbalance force F due to the rotation of the disk 1 is canceled by
the resultant force Zn of the balance forces zk, whereby the force
acting on the sub-base 6 decreases. Therefore, the vibration of the
sub-base 6, occurring in the case when the unbalanced disk 1 is
rotated, is suppressed securely.
[0341] As described above, in the disk drive apparatus of the sixth
embodiment, the position of the spherical body 24 in the direction
of the center axis P2 of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23e is held
at the position of the contact point of the tangent to the inner
wall face 25f of the outer periphery and in parallel with the
center axis P2 of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23e by the
centrifugal force q acting on the spherical body 24 and the
reaction from the inner wall face 25f of the outer periphery.
Therefore, even if vibration and impact are applied from outside
the device in the direction parallel to the center axis P2 of the
hollow ring-shaped portion 23d, the spherical body 24 does not move
around inside the hollow ring-shaped portion 23e in the direction
parallel to the center axis P2 of the hollow ring-shaped portion
23e. For this reason, in the disk drive apparatus of the sixth
embodiment, it is possible to avoid the problem of causing noise
due to collisions of the spherical bodies 24 with the ceiling face
and the bottom face of the hollow ring-shaped portion 23e.
[0342] In addition, since the spherical body 24 makes point contact
with only the inner wall face 25f of the outer periphery, it can
easily move in the circumferential direction of the inner wall face
25f of the outer periphery, whereby the spherical body 24 can be
positioned securely at the position opposite to the center of
gravity G1 of the disk 1.
[0343] As described above, in the configuration of the sixth
embodiment of the present invention, thanks to the spherical body
balancer 22e, it is possible to suppress the vibration of the
sub-base 6 more securely, and it is possible to prevent undesirable
noise from occurring from the spherical body balancer 22e
itself.
[0344] In the first to sixth embodiments of the present invention,
the actions and effects in the case when the disk 1 has a mass
imbalance have been described; however, even when one of the
members to be rotated by the spindle motor 2, such as the turntable
110, the rotor 80 of the spindle motor 2 or the like, has a mass
imbalance, an effect of suppressing the vibration due to the mass
imbalance can be obtained in accordance with the present
invention.
[0345] As described above, the disk drive apparatuses of the first
to sixth embodiments of the present invention are intended to
suppress the vibration due to the mass imbalance of the disk or the
like, and are applicable to all disk drive apparatuses wherein data
is recorded on the disk or data recorded on the disk is reproduced
while the disk is rotated. By applying the technological concept of
the present invention to optical disk drive apparatuses for only
reproduction of CDs and CD-ROMs for example, and to recordable
devices requiring more accurate relative distance control (tracking
control) of an optical head to the tracks on a disk, an enormous
effect of attaining devices having higher reliability can be
obtained.
[0346] Furthermore, in the first to sixth embodiments of the
present invention, not only a device for carrying out non-contact
recording/reproduction using an optical head but also a device for
carrying out recording/reproduction on a disk by using a contact
magnetic head or a floating magnetic head can obtain an effect of
suppressing undesirable vibration due to the mass imbalance of the
disk.
[0347] In the disk drive apparatuses of the first to sixth
embodiments of the present invention, a hollow ring-shaped portion
having a closed ring-shaped space and used as a ring-shaped track
portion has been described; however, the present invention is not
limited to this kind of configuration, and a configuration having a
ring-shaped track in which spherical bodies can roll, such as a
configuration having a ring-shaped track formed of a wire or the
like for example, can have the effect of the present invention.
[0348] As described above, in accordance with the disk drive
apparatuses of the first to sixth embodiments of the present
invention, by providing a balancer accommodating balance members so
as to be rotatable integrally with a disk, the vibration of the
sub-base due to the mass imbalance of the disk can be suppressed
securely, and stable recording or reproduction can be attained.
[0349] Furthermore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatuses
of the first to sixth embodiments of the present invention, an
unbalanced disk can be rotated at high speed, whereby the rate of
data transfer can be improved.
[0350] Furthermore, in accordance with the disk drive apparatuses
of the first to sixth embodiments of the present invention, it is
possible to attain disk drive apparatuses causing low noise and
having high vibration-resistant and impact-resistant
characteristics.
[0351] In accordance with the disk drive apparatuses of the first
to sixth embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to
attain disk drive apparatuses wherein the amount of vibration due
to the mass imbalance of a disk is suppressed sufficiently even
when the rotation frequency of the disk exceeds 100 Hz.
[0352] In accordance with the disk drive apparatuses of the first
to sixth embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to
attain a high speed rotation of 100 Hz or more even if the mass
imbalance amount is 1 gcm or more.
[0353] In accordance with the disk drive apparatuses of the first
to sixth embodiments of the present invention, vibration due to the
mass imbalance of a mounted disk can be suppressed securely without
increasing the number of the spherical bodies used as balance
members accomodated in the ring-shaped track portion.
[0354] In accordance with the disk drive apparatuses of the first
to sixth embodiments of the present invention, even if a mounted
unbalanced disk is rotated at high speed, vibration can be
suppressed sufficiently, whereby it is possible to attain
low-profile disk drive apparatuses capable of carrying out
high-rate transfer.
[0355] In accordance with the disk drive apparatuses of the first
to sixth embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to
attain disk drive apparatuses having a high vibration suppression
effect and capable of reducing undesirable noise, even when the
mass imbalance amount of a mounted disk is very large.
[0356] In accordance with the balancers for the disk drive
apparatuses of the first to sixth embodiments of the present
invention, it is possible to attain disk drive apparatuses capable
of high speed rotation of 100 Hz or more even if the mass imbalance
amount is 1 gcm or more.
[0357] In accordance with the balancers for the disk drive
apparatuses of the first to sixth embodiments of the present
invention, vibration due to the mass imbalance of a mounted disk
can be suppressed securely without increasing the number of the
spherical bodies used as balance members and accommodated in the
ring-shaped track portion more than necessary.
[0358] The balancers for the disk drive apparatuses of the first to
sixth embodiments of the present invention can suppress the
occurrence of noise from the balancers themselves.
Problems to be Solved By Seventh to 13th Embodiments
[0359] In recent years, in disk drive apparatuses for
recording/reproducing data, high-speed disk rotation has been
advanced to improve data transfer rate. However, a disk has a mass
imbalance due to nonuniform thickness, eccentricity and the like.
When this kind of disk is rotated at high speed, an eccentric
centrifugal force (an imbalance force) acts on the rotation center
of the disk, thereby causing a problem wherein the vibration due to
the imbalance force is transmitted to the whole of the device. The
magnitude of this imbalance force increases in proportion to the
square of rotation frequency; therefore, the vibration increases
abruptly as the rotation speed of the disk is raised. For this
reason, when the disk is rotated at high speed, it vibrates, and
noise is caused by the vibration, and the bearings of the disk
rotation drive spindle motor are damaged; in addition, the
vibration of the disk vibrates the head for carrying out recording
and reproduction, thereby causing a problem of being unable to
carry out stable recording and reproduction. Furthermore, when this
kind of disk drive apparatus is built in a computer or the like,
the vibration of the disk is transmitted to other peripheral
devices, thereby also causing a problem of adversely affecting the
devices.
[0360] To solve these problems, the conventional disk drive
apparatus is generally provided with a function of automatically
reducing the rotation speed of the disk, judging that recording and
reproduction cannot be carried out in the case when the chassis
vibrates significantly. When the occurrence of large vibration is
detected in the case when a disk having a large mass imbalance is
rotated at high speed, the conventional disk drive apparatus having
this kind of function is configured to automatically reduce the
rotation speed of the disk until the vibration becomes relatively
small, thereby to securely carry out recording/reproduction.
[0361] However, market demands for high-speed disk
recording/reproduction are high regardless of the magnitude of the
mass imbalance amount of the disk; therefore, suppressing
undesirable vibration due to the mass imbalance of the disk has
been the problem to be solved in this field. When the mass of the
disk is M (g), and when the distance from the center of the disk to
the center of gravity of the disk is L (cm), the imbalance amount A
(gcm) is represented by A=M.times.L.
[0362] To solve the above-mentioned problem, Japanese Laid-open
Patent Application No. Hei 10-83622 has proposed a mechanism for
canceling amass imbalance referred to as a balancer.
[0363] An example of a conventional disk drive apparatus having a
balancer will be described below referring to the drawings.
[0364] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the conventional disk
drive apparatus. Referring to FIG. 9, a disk 301 is rotated by a
spindle motor 302. A head 303 reproduces (reads) data recorded on
the disk 301 or records (writes) data on the disk 301.
[0365] A traverse mechanism 305 comprising a rack gear 326 and a
pinion gear 327 is a mechanism for moving the head 303 from the
inner periphery to the outer periphery or from the outer periphery
to the inner periphery of the disk 301. The above-mentioned
traverse mechanism 305 is configured so as to be driven when the
traverse motor 304 rotates the pinion gear 327. The rotation
operation of the pinion gear 327 is converted into a linear motion
by the rack gear 326 and transmitted to the head 303. The spindle
motor 302, the traverse motor 304 and the traverse mechanism 305
are mounted on a sub-base 306.
[0366] The sub-base 306 is mounted over a main base 308 via
insulators 307 (elastic bodies). Vibration and impact transmitted
from outside the device to the sub-base 306 are dampened by the
insulators 307. The main unit of the disk drive apparatus is
configured so as to be built in a computer or the like via a frame
(not shown) installed on the main base 308.
[0367] FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the
spindle motor 302 of the conventional disk drive apparatus. A
turntable 310 is secured to the spindle shaft 321 of the spindle
motor 302 and rotatably supports the clamp area 311 of the disk
301. On the turntable 310, a boss 314 to be fitted into the clamp
hole 312 of the disk 301 is formed integrally. By fitting the disk
301 on the boss 314, the disk 301 is positioned. A positioning hole
313 is formed at the nearly central portion of the upper face of
the boss 314. In addition, an opposed yoke 315 is embedded on the
upper face of the boss 314.
[0368] A center projection 317 that carries out positioning by
fitting into the positioning hole 313 provided in the turntable 310
is formed on a clamper 350. In addition, a ring-shaped magnet 318
is secured on the periphery of the center projection 317 of the
clamper 350. A hollow ring-shaped portion 320 is provided on the
outer periphery of the magnet 318, and six balls 324 having
magnetism are disposed in the hollow ring-shaped portion 320.
[0369] In the case when the disk 301 is at rest, the balls 324 are
attracted by the magnetic force of the magnet 318. The diameter and
the number of the balls 324 are adjusted depending on the mass
imbalance amount of the mounted disk 301. A flat contact portion
319 making contact with the disk 301 is formed on the lower face of
the clamper 350.
[0370] In the conventional disk drive apparatus configured as
describe above, in the condition wherein the disk 301 is clamped,
the clamp hole 312 fits on the boss 314, whereby the disk 301 is
mounted on the turntable 310. Furthermore, at this time, the disk
301 is held by the magnetic force acting between the magnet 318
built in the clamper 350 and the opposed yoke 315 secured to the
turntable 310. The disk 301 held in this way is rotated integrally
with the turntable 310 and the clamper 350 by the spindle motor
302.
[0371] At this time, if the disk 301 has a mass imbalance, a
centrifugal force (an imbalance force) F acts on the center of
gravity G1 of the disk 301 shown in FIG. 10. The direction of the
action rotates as the disk 301 rotates. The vibration of this
imbalance force F is transmitted to the sub-base 306 via the
turntable 310 and the spindle motor 302. Since the sub-base 306 is
supported by the main base 308 via the insulators 307 used as
elastic bodies, it is whirled significantly by this imbalance force
F while the insulators 7 are deformed. The magnitude of the
imbalance force F is proportional to the product of the mass
imbalance (represented by gcm) and the square of the rotation
frequency. Therefore, the vibration acceleration of the sub-base
306 increases abruptly in close proportion to the square of the
rotation frequency of the disk 301.
[0372] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating the operation of a balancer
322 configured by the hollow ring-shaped portion or the like in the
conventional disk drive apparatus. In the condition wherein the
disk 301 having a mass imbalance is mounted on the disk drive
apparatus as described above, the hollow ring-shaped portion 320 of
the balancer 322 provided in the clamper 350 is positioned
coaxially with the rotation center axis P0 of the spindle motor
302. As a result, the center of the hollow ring-shaped portion 320,
i.e., the center P2 of the inner wall face 325 of the outer
periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion 320, is aligned with
the position of the rotation center axis P0 of the spindle motor
302.
[0373] The centrifugal force (imbalance force) F acts on the center
of gravity G1 of the disk 301, whereby the hollow ring-shaped
portion 320 carries out whirling (turning) operation; the offset
amount of the whirling center axis P1 from the rotation center axis
P0 of the spindle motor 302 becomes larger as the mass imbalance of
the disk 301 is larger. As a result, the vibration amplitude of the
sub-base 306 supported by the insulators 307 becomes larger as the
mass imbalance of the disk 301 is larger.
[0374] At this time, a centrifugal force q acts on the ball 324
accommodated in the hollow ring-shaped portion 320 in the direction
of connecting the whirling center axis P1 to the center of gravity
of the ball 324. In addition, since the movement of the ball 324 is
restricted by the wall face 325 of the outer periphery of the
hollow ring-shaped portion 320, a reaction N from the inner wall
face 325 of the outer periphery acts on the ball 324. This reaction
N from the inner wall face 325 of the outer periphery acts in the
direction toward the center P2 of the inner wall face 325 of the
outer periphery.
[0375] Therefore, a movement force R, i.e., the resultant force of
the centrifugal force q and the reaction N, acts on the ball 324 in
the direction of the tangent of the circle centered at the center
P2 of the inner wall face 325 of the outer periphery, passing
through the center of gravity of the ball 324, and being away from
the whirling center axis P1. By this movement force R, the ball 324
is moved along the inner wall face 325 of the outer periphery,
whereby the balls 324 gather at the position about 180 degrees
rotated from the center of gravity G1 of the disk 301 with respect
to the whirling center axis P1.
[0376] As a result, the centrifugal force Q acting on all of the
six balls 324 having gathered acts in the direction opposite to the
imbalance force F acting at the center of gravity G1 of the disk
301. The imbalance force F is canceled by this centrifugal force Q.
Therefore, the force acting on the sub-base 306 via the spindle
motor 302 becomes small. As a result, the offset amount from the
whirling center axis P1 to the rotation center axis P0 of the
spindle motor 302 becomes small, and the vibration amplitude of the
sub-base 306 supported by the insulators 307 also becomes small.
Therefore, the vibration of the sub-base 306, occurring in the case
when the disk 301 having a large mass imbalance is rotated, is
suppressed.
[0377] In the configuration of the above-mentioned conventional
disk drive apparatus, the vibration reduction effect in the case
when a disk having a mass imbalance is rotated at high speed is
significant. However, in the case when a disk having a small mass
imbalance was rotated at high speed, vibration became larger than
that of the conventional disk drive apparatus having no balancer
mechanism in some cases because of the following reason.
[0378] In the configuration of the disk drive mechanism having the
conventional balancer mechanism, when the disk 301 having a mass
imbalance is rotated at high speed, a centrifugal force (imbalance
force) F acts at the center of gravity G1 of the disk 301 as shown
in FIG. 11, and the magnetic balls 324 accommodated in the hollow
ring-shaped portion 320 disposed in the clamper 350 gather in the
direction opposite to the center of gravity G1 of the disk 301 and
the whirling center P1. As a result, the above-mentioned imbalance
force F is canceled by the centrifugal force Q of the balls 324,
thereby solving the problem of the vibration of the sub-base 306 in
the conventional device.
[0379] However, as forces acting on the ball 324, in addition to
the centrifugal force q, the reaction N, i.e. a reaction from the
inner wall face 325 of the outer periphery of the hollow
ring-shaped portion 320, and the movement force R, i.e., the
resultant force of the centrifugal force q and the reaction N, a
friction force M becoming larger in proportion to the reaction N
and the friction coefficient of the inner wall face 325 of the
outer periphery and acting in the direction opposite to the
movement force is present. Since this friction force M acts on the
ball 324, the ball 324 starts moving when the movement force R is
larger than the friction force M. Therefore, only when the mass
imbalance of the disk 301 is a predetermined value or more, the
balls 324 move in the direction of canceling the mass
imbalance.
[0380] Conversely, in the case when a disk 301 having a mass
imbalance of a predetermined value or less or a disk 301 having no
mass imbalance is rotated at high speed, the offset amount of the
whirling center P1 and the vibration amplitude of the disk 301 and
the sub-base 306 become relatively smaller. In this case, since the
movement force R of the ball 324 is smaller than the friction force
M, it is impossible to move the ball 324 to the position wherein
the mass imbalance is canceled. It is thus impossible to predict
the position of the ball 324 after the rotation speed of the disk
301 is increased and the ball 324 is separated from the magnet 318
by the centrifugal force q.
[0381] As a result, when a disk 301 having no mass imbalance is
rotated at high speed, the balls 324 concentrate in a place inside
the hollow ring-shaped portion 320, whereby the overall imbalance
sometimes becomes larger than the original mass imbalance of the
disk 301.
[0382] As described above, the mechanism originally provided to
prevent the vibration of the disk drive apparatus due to the mass
imbalance of the disk 301 caused the problem of functioning
reversely as described above.
[0383] Generally, in the case of disks 301 distributed in the
market, disks 301 having few mass imbalances are predominant;
therefore, the disk drive apparatus provided with the conventional
balancer has a very high occurrence frequency of the problem of
reversely causing larger vibration as described above; this has
been a serious problem to be solved in the disk drive apparatus
having the conventional balancer.
[0384] A seventh embodiment and eighth to 13th embodiments
described later provide disk drive apparatuses that can solve the
above-mentioned problem, can carry out stable recording or
reproduction even in the case of high rotation speed regardless of
the magnitude of the mass imbalance of the disk, and can have high
data transfer rate.
Seventh Embodiment
[0385] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with a seventh
embodiment of the present invention will be described below
referring to the accompanying drawings.
[0386] FIG. 12 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the
spindle motor 302 of the disk drive apparatus of the seventh
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a plan sectional
view illustrating forces acting on the balls of the balancer
provided in the clamper of the disk drive apparatus of the seventh
embodiment of the present invention.
[0387] Referring to FIG. 12, the disk drive apparatus of the
seventh embodiment is configured so that a disk 301 on a turntable
310 is held with a clamper 316, and that the disk 301 is rotated by
a spindle motor 302. In this disk drive apparatus, a head 303 is
used to read data recorded on the disk 301 and to write data on the
disk 301. The spindle motor 302, a traverse motor, a traverse
mechanism and the like are mounted on a sub-base 306. The sub-base
306 is mounted over a main base 308 via insulators 307. Vibration
and impact transmitted from outside the device to the sub-base 306
are dampened by the insulators 307. The disk drive apparatus is
configured so as to be built in a computer or the like via a frame
installed on the main base 308.
[0388] A turntable 310 is secured to the rotation shaft 21 of the
spindle motor 302 and rotatably supports the clamp area 311 of the
disk 301. On the turntable 310, a boss 314 to be fitted into the
clamp hole 312 of the disk 301 is formed integrally. By fitting the
disk 301 on the boss 314, the disk 301 is aligned. In addition, an
opposed yoke 315 is embedded on the upper portion of the boss
314.
[0389] A center projection 317 that carries out alignment by
fitting into the positioning hole 313 formed in the turntable 310
is provided on a clamper 316. A ring-shaped magnet 318 is secured
on the periphery of the center projection 317 of the clamper
316.
[0390] In the disk drive apparatus of the seventh embodiment of the
present invention, a balancer 221 is provided in the clamper 316.
As shown in FIG. 12, the clamper 316 of the seventh embodiment is
provided with a center projection (center axis) 317 for carrying
out positioning with respect to the turntable 310 and a hollow
ring-shaped portion 320 being coaxial therewith.
[0391] FIG. 13 is a view showing the inner configuration of the
balancer 221 provided in the clamper 316 of the disk drive
apparatus of the seventh embodiment, and is a plan sectional view
illustrating the forces acting on plural balls 324a, 324b, 324c and
324d accommodated in the hollow ring-shaped portion 320 used as a
ring-shaped track. As shown in FIG. 13, plural arc-shaped balance
chambers 323a, 323b, 323c and 323d, divided in the circumferential
direction by plural partition walls 330a, 330b, 330c and 330d, are
formed inside the hollow ring-shaped portion 320. The balls 324a,
324b, 324c and 324d are movably accommodated in the arc-shaped
balance chambers 323a, 323b, 323c and 323d respectively, one ball
in each chamber. As described above, the balancer 221 comprises the
plural arc-shaped balance chambers 323a, 323b, 323c and 323d and
the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d accommodated therein
respectively; and this balancer 221 is formed integrally with the
clamp 316. A flat contact portion 319 making contact with the disk
301 is formed on the lower face of the clamper 316.
[0392] As shown in FIG. 12, the positioning hole 313 passing
through the turntable 310 is formed in the turntable 310; and this
positioning hole 313 is fitted on the spindle shaft 321 used as the
rotation center axis P0 of the spindle motor 302. Therefore, the
turntable 310 is configured so as to be secured to the spindle
shaft 321 and so as to be rotated integrally with the spindle motor
302.
[0393] In the condition wherein the disk 301 is clamped by the
above-mentioned clamper 316, just as in the case of the
conventional disk drive apparatus shown in the above-mentioned FIG.
32, the clamp hole 312 is fitted on the boss 314, whereby the disk
301 is mounted on the turntable 310. Then, the disk 301 is held and
clamped by the magnetic force acting between the magnet 318
provided in the clamper 316 and the opposed yoke 315 secured to the
turntable 310. At this time, the center projection (center axis)
317 provided on the clamper 316 is fitted into the positioning hole
313 provided in the turntable 310 to carry out positioning.
Therefore, the hollow ring-shaped portion 320, provided so as to be
coaxial with the center projection (center axis), becomes coaxial
with the rotation center axis P0 of the spindle motor 302. As a
result, driven by the spindle motor 302, the clamper 316 is rotated
integrally with the disk 301 and the turntable 310.
[0394] Furthermore, the disk drive apparatus of the seventh
embodiment uses the insulators 307 formed of elastic bodies of
urethane rubber or the like to connect the sub-base 306 to the main
base 308. Thanks to these, the primary resonance frequency of the
mechanical vibration of the sub-base 306 due to the deformation of
the insulators 307, in the direction parallel to the recording face
of the disk 301, is set lower than the rotation frequency of the
disk 301. More specifically, in the case when the rotation
frequency of the disk 301 has been set at about 100 Hz, both the
primary resonance frequency of the vibration of the sub-base 306 in
the direction (tracking direction) wherein the head is driven by
the traverse drive mechanism and the primary resonance frequency of
the vibration of the sub-base 306 in the direction perpendicular
thereto are set at about 60 Hz.
[0395] In the disk drive apparatus of the seventh embodiment of the
present invention configured as described above, operation in the
case when the disk 301 having a large mass imbalance is rotated at
100 Hz will be described referring to FIGS. 12 and 13.
[0396] First, (a) of FIG. 13 shows an initial condition wherein the
disk 301 is rotated at 100 Hz. As shown in (a) of FIG. 13, a
centrifugal force (referred to as an imbalance force F) acts on the
center of gravity G of the disk 301, and the direction of the
action rotates as the disk 301 rotates. This imbalance force F
deforms the insulators 307 (FIG. 12), and the sub-base 306 and the
whole of the components mounted on the sub-base 306 whirl and
vibrate at the rotation frequency of the disk 301. At this time,
the resonance frequency (about 60 Hz) of the sub-base 306 due to
the deformation of the insulators 307 is set lower than the
rotation frequency (about 100 Hz) of the disk 301. Therefore, the
displacement direction of the sub-base 306 and the action direction
of the imbalance force F are nearly opposite to each other at all
times. Therefore, the whirling center axis P1 of the disk 301
rotating over the sub-base 306 is offset between the center of
gravity G of the disk 301 on which the imbalance force F acts and
the rotation center axis P0 of the spindle motor 302.
[0397] In the above-mentioned condition, since the hollow
ring-shaped portion 320 provided in the clamper 316 is positioned
so as to be coaxial with the rotation center axis P0 of the spindle
motor 302, the center of the hollow ring-shaped portion 320, i.e.,
the arc center P2 of the inner wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c and 325d
of the outer peripheries of the arc-shaped balance chambers 323a,
323b, 323c and 323d coincides with the rotation center axis P0 of
the spindle motion 302. Therefore, the hollow ring-shaped portion
320 carries out whirling operation around the whirling center axis
P1.
[0398] At this time, a centrifugal force q1 acts on the ball 324a
accommodated in the hollow ring-shaped portion 320 in the direction
of connecting the whirling center axis P1 to the center of gravity
of the ball 324a itself. In addition, since the movement of the
ball 324a is restricted by the inner wall face 325a of the outer
periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion 320, a reaction N1 from
the inner wall face 325a of the outer periphery acts on the ball
324a. This reaction N1 from the inner wall face 325a of the outer
periphery acts toward the center P2 of the inner wall face 325a of
the outer periphery. Therefore, a movement force R1, i.e., the
resultant force of the centrifugal force q1 and the reaction N1,
acts Q on the ball 324a in the direction of the tangent of the
circle centered at the center P2 of the inner wall face 325a of the
outer periphery, passing through the center of gravity of the ball
324a, and being away from the whirling center axis P1. By virtue of
this movement force R1, the ball 324a moves along the inner wall
face 325a of the outer periphery, moves up to the position wherein
its movement is restricted by the partition wall 330a, and then
stops.
[0399] At this time, just like the above-mentioned ball 324a, the
other balls 324b, 324c and 324d move up to the positions wherein
their movements are restricted by the partition walls 330b, 330c
and 330d respectively, and then stop.
[0400] As a result, as shown in (b) of FIG. 13, the centrifugal
force Q, the composite vector of the centrifugal forces q1, q2, q3
and q4 acting on the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d respectively,
acts in the direction nearly opposite to the imbalance force F
acting at the center of gravity G of the disk 301. As a result, the
imbalance force F is canceled by the centrifugal force Q, and the
force acting on the sub-base 306 becomes small. Therefore, the
vibration of the sub-base 306, occurring in the case when the disk
301 having a mass imbalance is rotated, is suppressed.
[0401] Next, in the disk drive apparatus of the seventh embodiment,
the movement of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d in the case
when the disk 301 having a mass imbalance is rotated will be
described referring to FIG. 14.
[0402] FIG. 14 is a view showing the change of the positions of the
balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d inside the clamper 316 with the
passage of time in the case when the disk 301 having amass
imbalance is mounted on the disk drive apparatus and rotated while
being accelerated. The condition shown in FIG. 14 is a condition
wherein the position of the center of gravity G of the disk 301
having the mass imbalance is on the extension line (in the radial
direction) of the partition wall 330a, also showing a condition
wherein the disk 301 is clamped in this condition. In FIG. 14, the
condition of the balancer changes in the directions of the open
arrows as the rotation speed of the disk 301 increases.
[0403] (a) of FIG. 14 shows a condition wherein the disk 301 is at
rest, and the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d are at rest while
being attracted by the magnet 318.
[0404] (b) of FIG. 14 shows the initial condition of the
acceleration of the disk 301; since the rotation speed of the disk
301 is low and the relationship of [centrifugal force]<[magnet
force] is present at this time, the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d
move along the outer peripheral face of the magnet 318 while
remaining attracted by the magnet 318. In (b) of FIG. 14, the disk
301 rotates rightward (clockwise), and the balls 324a, 324b, 324c
and 324d move along the outer peripheral face of the magnet 318
while rotating leftward due to inertia forces, opposite to the
rotation direction of the disk 301.
[0405] (c) of FIG. 14 shows the intermediate condition of the
acceleration of the disk 301; since the rotation speed of the disk
301 is high, and the relationship of [centrifugal force]>[magnet
force] is present at this time, the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d
separate from the magnet 318, and reach the inner wall faces 325a,
325b, 325c and 325d of the outer peripheries of the arc-shaped
balance chambers 323a, 323b, 323c and 323d. At this time, the balls
324a, 324b, 324c and 324d still move in the direction opposite to
the disk 301, and stops after making contact with the partition
walls 330a, 330b, 330c and 330d respectively.
[0406] (d) of FIG. 14 shows the final condition of the acceleration
of the disk 301, and shows the condition wherein the amplitude of
the whirling vibration of the disk 301 increases. Due to the
influence, the amplitude of the whirling vibration of the sub-frame
306 also increases. At this time, since the phase difference of the
vibration between the tracking direction and the jitter direction
of the whirling vibration of the sub-frame 306 is 90 degrees, the
balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d move so that the composite force of
the centrifugal forces of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d
concentrates in the direction (on the left side of (d) of FIG. 14)
90 degrees dislocated from the center of gravity G of the disk
301.
[0407] (e) of FIG. 14 shows the end condition of the acceleration
of the disk 301, and shows the condition wherein the rotation speed
of the disk 301 has reached the maximum speed (maximum rotation
frequency) of 100 Hz.
[0408] At this time, the phase difference of the vibration between
the tracking direction (the head driving direction) and the jitter
direction (the direction perpendicular to the tracking direction)
of the whirling vibration of the sub-frame 306 is 180 degrees.
Therefore, the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d move so that the
composite force of the centrifugal forces of the balls 324a, 324b,
324c and 324d concentrates in the direction (on the lower side of
(e) of FIG. 14) 180 degrees dislocated from the center of gravity G
of the disk 301. Therefore, the mass imbalance of the disk 301 is
canceled sufficiently, and the whirling vibration of the sub-base
306 is suppressed.
[0409] Next, in the disk drive apparatus of the seventh embodiment,
the movement condition of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d in
the case when the disk 301 having no mass imbalance, i.e., having a
uniform mass balance, is rotated at a high rotation frequency of
100 Hz will be described.
[0410] FIG. 15 is a view showing the change of the positions of the
balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d inside the clamper 316 with the
passage of time in the case when a uniform disk 301 having no mass
imbalance is mounted on the disk drive apparatus and rotated while
being accelerated. In FIG. 15, the condition of the balancer
changes in the directions of the open arrows as the rotation speed
of the disk 301 increases. In the case shown in FIG. 15, the
indication of the center of gravity G is omitted since the disk 301
has no mass imbalance. In addition, the positional relationship
between the center of gravity G of the disk 301 and the partition
wall 330 is neglected since the disk 301 has no mass imbalance.
[0411] (a) of FIG. 15 shows a condition wherein the disk 301 is at
rest, and the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d having magnetism are
attracted by the magnet 318.
[0412] (b) of FIG. 15 shows the initial condition of the
acceleration of the disk 301; since the rotation speed of the disk
301 is low, the relationship of [centrifugal force]<[magnet
force] is present at this time, and the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and
324d remain attracted by the magnet 318. At this time, the disk 301
rotates rightward (clockwise), and the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and
324d move along the outer peripheral face of the magnet 318 while
rotating leftward (counterclockwise) due to inertia forces,
opposite to the rotation direction of the disk 301.
[0413] (c) of FIG. 15 shows the intermediate condition of the
acceleration of the disk 301; the rotation speed of the disk 301 is
high, and the relationship of [centrifugal force]>[magnet force]
is present at this time; the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d
separate from the magnet 318, and reach the inner wall faces 325a,
325b, 325c and 325d of the outer peripheries of the arc-shaped
balance chambers 323a, 323b, 323c and 323d respectively. At this
time, the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d still move in the
direction opposite to the rotation direction of the disk 301, and
stops after making contact with the partition walls 330a, 330b,
330c and 330d respectively.
[0414] (d) of FIG. 15 shows the final condition of the acceleration
of the disk 301; the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d become stable
at the positions wherein they make contact with the partition walls
330a, 330b, 330c and 330d respectively.
[0415] Since the partition walls 330a, 330b, 330c and 330d are
provided at uniform intervals, that is, at angles of every 90
degrees (hereinafter simply referred to as center angles) around
the rotation center of the disk 301 as described above, the balls
324a, 324b, 324c and 324d become stable at the positions wherein
they make contact with the partition walls 330a, 330b, 330c and
330d. Therefore, the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d are disposed
at equal intervals, whereby any imbalance due to the dispositions
of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d does not occur at all.
[0416] In the balancer 221 of the disk drive apparatus of the
seventh embodiment of the present invention, the case wherein the
four partition walls for dividing the hollow ring-shaped portion
320 used as a ring-shaped track are provided at uniform intervals,
that is, at the center angles of every 90 degrees, has been
described; however, as shown in FIGS. 16 to 20, the number of the
partition walls for dividing the hollow ring-shaped portion 320 is
not limited to four; even if the hollow ring-shaped portion 320 is
divided by about 2, 3, 4, 6 or 8 partition walls, a similar effect
can be obtained. In FIGS. 16 to 20, the same numeral codes are
assigned to the elements having the same functions as those of the
elements of the disk drive apparatus of the above-mentioned seventh
embodiment; in the case when a plurality of identical elements are
used, lower-case alphabetic characters (a, b, c, . . . ) are
attached in order after the numeral code corresponding to the
element. Even if the number of the partition walls is 5 or 7,
although not shown in the drawings, an effect similar to that of
the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained.
[0417] In the disk drive apparatus of the seventh embodiment of the
present invention, a member having the shape of the partition wall
shown in FIG. 13 was used for the explanation as a member for
dividing the hollow ring-shaped portion 320; however, the member
for dividing the hollow ring-shaped portion 320 is not required to
be a member having the shape of the partition wall in the case when
solid members such as balls, circular cylinders, cubes, disk-shaped
members, plate-shaped members or the like are used as balance
members to be accommodated in the hollow ring-shaped portion 320.
For example, it may be configured that such projection-shaped
members 331a, 331b, 331c and 331d as shown in FIG. 21, projecting
inward from portions of the inner wall face 325 of the outer
periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion 320, are provided so
that the above-mentioned balance members can move inside the
arc-shaped balance chambers 323a, 323b, 323c and 323d respectively.
In addition, it may be configured that such pillar-shaped members
332a, 332b, 332c and 332d as shown in FIG. 22 are formed at
predetermined intervals inside the ring-shaped space of the hollow
ring-shaped portion 320 so that the solid balance members, such as
the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d cannot move into the adjacent
balance chambers 323a, 323b, 323c and 323d. By dividing the hollow
ring-shaped portion 320 as described above, an effect similar to
that obtained in the case when the hollow ring-shaped portion 320
is divided by the partition walls 330a, 330b, 330c and 330d can be
obtained.
[0418] In the disk drive apparatus of the seventh embodiment of the
present invention, the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d are formed
of a magnetic material; however, even if the balls are formed of a
non-magnetic material, the disk drive apparatus of the seventh
embodiment can suppress the vibration of the disk having a mass
imbalance.
[0419] In the case when the balancer 221 is provided in the clamper
316 just as in the case of the seventh embodiment of the present
invention, the other components use the small space above the disk
301; therefore, the diameter of the hollow ring-shaped portion 320
can be made larger, and the mass of each ball and the number of the
balls can be increased. Consequently, by increasing the diameter of
the hollow ring-shaped portion 320, or by increasing the mass of
each ball and the number of the balls, vibration can be suppressed
sufficiently, even if a disk having a larger mass imbalance is
mounted.
[0420] In the disk drive apparatus of the seventh embodiment of the
present invention, an example wherein the balancer 221 is provided
in the clamper 316 has been described; however, an effect similar
to that of the above-mentioned seventh embodiment can be obtained
even if a different structure is used, provided that the hollow
ring-shaped portion 320 is disposed coaxially with the rotation
center of the disk 301 and rotatable integrally with the disk 301.
An effect similar to that of the above-mentioned seventh embodiment
can be obtained even if the hollow ring-shaped portion is disposed
so as to be rotatable integrally with the spindle motor shaft 321
by providing the balancer on the turntable 310 on which the disk
301 is mounted, by providing the balancer on the rotor portion of
the spindle motor 302, or by providing the balancer on the sub-base
306 on the opposite side of the spindle motor 302, for example.
[0421] In the disk drive apparatus of the seventh embodiment of the
present invention, the shape of the hollow ring-shaped portion 320
for accommodating the balls is a ring wherein the inner wall faces
325a, 325b, 325c and 325d of the outer periphery thereof have the
same radius. However, in the disk drive apparatus of the present
invention, the plural hollow ring-shaped portions are not always
required to have the shape of a ring having the same radius. An
effect similar to that of the above-mentioned seventh embodiment
can be obtained even if two kinds of arc-shaped balance chambers
323a, 230b, 323c and 230d, formed of plural partition walls 343a,
343b, 343c and 343d and inner wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c and 325d
of the outer periphery having different radii, are combined as
shown in FIG. 23, for example.
[0422] (a) of FIG. 24 is a plan sectional view showing an example
of the configuration of another balancer of the seventh embodiment,
and (b) of FIG. 24 is a vertical sectional view showing an example
of the configuration of still another balancer. In the embodiment
shown in (a) of FIG. 24, as the hollow ring-shaped portion 320 of
the disk drive apparatus, arc-shaped balance chambers 323a, 323b,
323c and 323d having the center angles of about 180 degrees and
being formed of plural partition walls 344a, 344b, 344c and 344d
are disposed so as to overlap in the radial direction, i.e., so as
to be double. Even in this structure an-effect similar to that of
the above-mentioned seventh embodiment can be obtained. In the
shape of the balancer 221 shown in (a) of FIG. 24, the inside and
outside chambers of the arc-shaped balance chambers 323a, 323b,
323c and 323d are dislocated about 90 degrees from each other. (a)
of FIG. 24 shows the structure of the balancer 221 wherein the
arc-shaped balance chambers 323a, 323b, 323c and 323d are doubled
in the radial direction. Even by using a structure wherein
arc-shaped balance chambers having the same diameter are disposed
in double in the direction of the rotation axis of the disk 301 and
the positions of the partition walls thereof are dislocated about
90 degrees from each other, an effect similar to that of the
above-mentioned seventh embodiment can be obtained.
Eighth Embodiment
[0423] Next, a disk drive apparatus in accordance with an eighth
embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to
the drawings. FIGS. 25, 26 and 27 are plan sectional views showing
the inner structures of balancers 222 provided in a clamper in
accordance with the eighth embodiment of the present invention. The
element shaving functions substantially identical to those of the
elements of the disk drive apparatus of the above-mentioned seventh
embodiment are represented by the same numeral codes, and the
descriptions for the preceding embodiment are applied, thereby
omitting overlap descriptions. In addition, since the balancer 222
of the eighth embodiment is shown similarly to the balancer 221 of
the vertical sectional view shown in the above-mentioned FIG. 12,
the vertical sectional view of the balancer 222 of the eighth
embodiment is omitted.
[0424] In the eighth embodiment of the present invention, elastic
bodies are provided for the hollow ring-shaped portion 320 provided
in the clamper 316 (FIG. 12) of the above-mentioned seventh
embodiment; the elastic bodies are stuck to the partition walls for
dividing the hollow ring-shaped portion 320, or the partition walls
themselves are formed of elastic bodies.
[0425] In the disk drive apparatus of the eighth embodiment,
wherein the balancer 222 is provided with elastic bodies as
described above, the case wherein the disk drive apparatus is
driven in a vertical installation condition will be described.
[0426] In the case when the disk drive apparatus of the
above-mentioned seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 12 is operated in
a vertical installation condition, driving is carried out while the
clamper 316 holds the disk 301 so that the recording face of the
disk 301 becomes vertical. In the case when the disk 301 is rotated
at high speed with the disk drive apparatus installed vertically,
the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d accommodated in the arc-shaped
balance chambers 323a, 323b, 323c and 323d respectively of the
hollow ring-shaped portion 320 of the clamper 316 are attached to
the inner wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c and 325d of the outer
periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion 320 because the
centrifugal forces become more dominant than the influence of
gravity. In this condition, the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d do
not move easily.
[0427] However, in the case when the disk 301 is rotated at low
speed, or at the time when it rotates at low speed immediately
after the start of rotation, the centrifugal force acting on each
of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d is small, and gravity
becomes dominant; therefore, the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d
separating from the magnet 318 collide with the partition walls
330a, 330b, 330c and 330d, thereby causing noise.
[0428] As shown in FIG. 25, elastic bodies 333 are stuck to both
faces of each of the partition walls 330a, 330b, 330c and 330d.
This configuration drastically reduces the noise caused at the time
when the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d collide with the partition
walls 330a, 330b, 330c and 330d in the case when the disk 301 is
rotated at low speed. The material of the elastic body 333 should
only be formed of a shock-absorbing material, such as natural
rubber, synthetic rubber, sponge or the like, which can absorb a
shock at the time of the collisions of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c
and 324d with the partition walls 330.
[0429] FIG. 26 is a plan sectional view showing an example wherein
the partition walls of the balancer 222 in accordance with the
eighth embodiment are formed of elastic bodies. Since the partition
walls 334a, 334b, 334c and 334d formed of elastic bodies are formed
in the hollow ring-shaped portion 320 as shown in FIG. 26, an
effect similar to that of the balancer 222 shown in the
above-mentioned FIG. 25 can be obtained. To divide the hollow
ring-shaped portion 320 by using the partition walls 334a, 334b,
334c and 334d formed of elastic bodies as described above, the
partition walls 334a, 334b, 334c and 334d are firmly secured or
stuck to the balancer 222 so that the partition walls 334a, 334b,
334c and 334d can sufficiently absorb shocks caused by the balls
324a, 324b, 324c and 324d and can function as partition walls. The
material of the elastic body should only be a material capable of
absorbing the shocks due to the collisions of the balls 324a, 324b,
324c and 324d, that is, a shock-absorbing material, such as natural
rubber, synthetic rubber, sponge or the like.
[0430] However, since the partition walls 334a, 334b, 334c and 334d
of the hollow ring-shaped portion 320 shown in FIG. 26 are formed
of elastic bodies only, the rigidity of the partition walls may
sometimes be insufficient. Therefore, it may be possible to provide
a balancer 222 wherein the outer periphery of the magnet 18 is
covered with a pipe-shaped partition wall holder 336 formed of an
elastic material and partition walls 335a, 335b, 335c and 335d are
integrally molded so as to radially project from the outer
peripheral face of the partition wall holder 336. The partition
walls 335a, 335b, 335c and 335d of the balancer 222 shown in FIG.
27 can secure the rigidity required as the partition walls, and can
absorb shocks due to the collisions of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c
and 324d with the partition walls 335a, 335b, 335c and 335d,
thereby being capable of drastically reducing noise. The elastic
bodies of the partition walls 335a, 335b, 335c and 335d should only
be made of a shock-absorbing material, such as natural rubber,
synthetic rubber or the like, which can be formed in the special
shape of the partition-walls 335a, 335b, 335c and 335d shown in
FIG. 27.
[0431] As described above, the disk drive apparatus of the eighth
embodiment of the present invention is intended to reduce noise
occurring due to the collisions of the balls with the partition
walls at the time when the disk 301 is rotated at low speed in the
case when the disk drive apparatus is installed vertically and
operated.
[0432] In the above-mentioned disk drive apparatus of the seventh
embodiment, to prevent noise occurring due to the collisions of the
balls with the partition walls at the time when the disk 301 is
rotated at low speed in the case when the disk drive apparatus is
installed vertically, the balls are made of a magnetic material so
that the balls are attracted by the magnet 318 at the time of
low-speed rotation and so that the balls is separated from the
magnet by centrifugal forces at the time of high-speed
rotation.
[0433] However, in the disk drive apparatus of the eighth
embodiment of the present invention, since the partition walls are
formed of elastic bodies, noise due to the collisions of the balls
with the partition walls is reduced significantly. Therefore, it is
not necessary for the balls to remain attracted by the magnet at
the time of low-speed rotation in the eighth embodiment, whereby
noise occurrence can be suppressed significantly even if either a
magnetic or non-magnetic material is used as the material of the
balls.
[0434] In the above-mentioned eighth embodiment, the case wherein
the number of the partition walls is four has been described;
however, in the disk drive apparatus of the present invention, the
number of the partition walls is not limited to four; even if the
hollow ring-shaped portion is divided by about two to eight
partition walls, an effect similar to that of the above-mentioned
eighth embodiment can be obtained.
[0435] The partition walls of the eighth embodiment have the shape
of a partition wall for completely dividing the hollow ring-shaped
portion; however, the present invention is not limited to this kind
of configuration; it may be possible to use a configuration in
which spaces for allowing balance members to move therein can be
formed. For example, as shown in the above-mentioned FIG. 21, the
partition walls may be provided by sticking elastic bodies to the
projections extending inward from the portions of the inner wall
faces of the outer periphery of the hollow ring-shaped portion; in
addition, as shown in the above-mentioned FIG. 22, the partition
walls may be formed by sticking elastic bodies to the pillar-shaped
portions provided in the ring-shaped space of the hollow
ring-shaped portion. With this kind of configuration, the noise due
to the collisions of the balls or the like used as balance members
with the partition walls is reduced, whereby an effect similar to
that in the case of the partition walls can be obtained.
[0436] In the above-mentioned disk drive apparatus of the eighth
embodiment of the present invention, the configuration wherein the
balancer 222 is provided in the clamper 316 is shown. However, even
if a configuration different from that is used, an effect similar
to that of the above-mentioned eighth embodiment can be obtained,
provided that the hollow ring-shaped portion is coaxial with the
rotation center of the disk 301 and rotatable integrally with the
disk 301. For example, by providing the balancer on the turntable
310 on which the disk 301 is mounted, by providing the balancer in
the rotor portion of the spindle motor 302, or by providing the
balancer on the sub-base 306 on the opposite side of the spindle
motor 302 so that the balancer is made rotatable integrally with
the spindle motor shaft 321, an effect similar to that of the
above-mentioned eighth embodiment can be obtained.
Ninth Embodiment
[0437] Next, a disk drive apparatus in accordance with a ninth
embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to
the drawings. FIG. 28 is a plan sectional view showing the inner
structure of a balancer 223 provided in a clamper in accordance
with the ninth embodiment of the present invention. The elements
having functions substantially identical to those of the elements
of the disk drive apparatuses described in the above-mentioned
seventh and eighth embodiments are represented by the same numeral
codes, and the descriptions for the preceding embodiments are
applied, thereby omitting overlap descriptions. In addition, since
the balancer 223 of the ninth embodiment is shown similarly to the
balancer 221 of the vertical sectional view shown in the
above-mentioned FIG. 12, the vertical sectional view of the
balancer 223 of the ninth embodiment is omitted.
[0438] The disk drive apparatus of the ninth embodiment is intended
to solve a rarely occurring problem wherein balls 324 do not move
to their optimum positions in the disk drive apparatuses of the
above-mentioned seventh and eighth embodiments, although the
occurrence frequency of the problem is; counter measures for
solving the problem will be described below.
[0439] In the disk drive apparatus of the ninth embodiment,
attention is paid to the movement forces R of the balls 324a, 324b,
324c and 324d used as balance members. The forces R1, R2, R3 and R4
acting on the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d accommodated in the
hollow ring-shaped portion 320 of the clamper 316 in the case when
the disk 301 is rotated at the maximum speed generate as shown by
the arrows shown in the above-mentioned FIGS. 13(a) and (b). In
particular, (b) of FIG. 13 clearly showing the relationship between
the positions of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d and the
movement forces R1, R2, R3 and R4 is used for the following
description.
[0440] When the movement forces R1, R2, R3 and R4 acting on the
balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d respectively are compared in
magnitude, the movement forces R2 and R3 acting on the balls 324b
and 324c dislocated about 90 degrees from the center of gravity G
of the disk 301 having a mass imbalance are far lager than the
movement forces R1 and R4 acting on the balls 324a and 324d
dislocated about 180 degrees. As described above, the movement
forces R1, R2, R3 and R4 become significantly different depending
on the angles of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d with respect
to the center of gravity G of the disk 301. When the movement force
R is sought in the range from 0 to 180 degrees, the movement force
R has the minimum value at the positions of 0 and 180 degrees, and
the maximum value at the position of 90 degrees.
[0441] Because of this kind of relationship between the ball
positions and the movement force R, in the seventh and eighth
embodiments, a problem is caused wherein the balls are left on the
side of the center of gravity G of the disk 301 and the imbalance
cannot be improved sufficiently in some rare cases.
[0442] Next, the mechanism of causing the problem wherein the balls
of the balancer do not move to the optimum positions in the
above-mentioned seventh embodiment will be described by taking a
concrete example.
[0443] FIG. 29 is a view illustrating the case wherein the balls of
the balancer do not move to the optimum positions, that is, the
problem occurring in the seventh embodiment. The conditions shown
in FIGS. 29(a) to (c) are the same as those shown in the
above-mentioned FIGS. 14(a) to (c) showing the changes of the balls
moving inside the hollow ring-shaped portion with the passage of
time. In FIG. 29, the condition of the balancer changes in the
directions of the open arrows as the rotation speed of the disk 301
increases.
[0444] As shown in FIG. 29(e), the ball 324a is left at the
position having about 0 degrees with respect to the center of
gravity G of the disk 301, that is, on the imbalance side. By
investigating the cause of this problem, the inventors have found
an occurrence mechanism described below.
[0445] Up to the FIGS. 29(a) to (c), the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and
324d are located at the same positions as those shown in the
above-mentioned FIG. 14. However, in the condition shown in (d) of
FIG. 29, the composite force of the centrifugal forces of the balls
324a, 324b, 324c and 324d concentrates on the left side; however,
since the movement force R acting on the ball 324b located at the
lower right position is small, the ball 324b is left on the right
side.
[0446] In addition, in the condition shown in FIG. 29(e) in the
case when the disk 301 rotates at the maximum speed, the composite
force of the centrifugal forces of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and
324d concentrates on the lower side; however, since its movement
force R is small, the ball 324a is left on the upper side. At this
time, the ball 324b moves to the lower side since its movement
force R increases. For this reason, in the above-mentioned seventh
embodiment, when the disk 301 has reached the maximum speed, at
least one of the plural balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d may be left
on the imbalance side of the disk 301, thereby not disposed at the
optimum position; therefore; therefore, a problem occurs wherein
the effect of canceling the mass imbalance of the disk 301 by
optimally disposing the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d is reduced
significantly in some cases.
[0447] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the disk
drive apparatus of the ninth embodiment of the present invention,
the centers of the arcs of the inner wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c
and 325d of the outer peripheries of the arc-shaped balance
chambers 323a, 323b, 323c and 323d are slightly dislocated from the
rotation center of the disk 301 as shown in FIG. 28. In FIG. 28,
the radii from the centers of the arcs to the inner wall faces
325a, 325b, 325c and 325d of the outer peripheries are indicated by
arrows. If the rotation center of the disk 301 coincides with the
centers of the arcs of the inner wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c and
325d of the outer periphery, the centrifugal forces Q of the balls
324a, 324b, 324c and 324d generating at the rotation time of the
disk 301 and the reactions N received from the inner wall faces
325a, 325b, 325c and 325d of the outer periphery act on the balls
324a, 324b, 324c and 324d on one straight line. As a result, the
movement forces R for moving the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d
are not generated.
[0448] However, in the case when the centers of the arcs of the
inner wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c and 325d of the outer periphery
of the hollow ring-shaped portion 320 are dislocated from the
rotation center of the disk 301 as shown in FIG. 28, when the
centrifugal forces Q are generated at the balls 324a, 324b, 324c
and 324d by the rotation of the disk 301, the reactions N received
from the inner wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c and 325d of the outer
periphery and the centrifugal forces Q do not act on the balls
324a, 324b, 324c and 324d on the same straight line.
[0449] As a result, the composite forces of the centrifugal forces
Q and the reactions N are generated, and these composite forces act
on the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d. Since the action directions
of these composite forces are the right rotation directions (the
clockwise direction in FIG. 28), movement forces R are generated to
act on the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d. Therefore, the disk
drive apparatus of the ninth embodiment has a structure wherein the
balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d are easily movable toward areas
having larger radii from the rotation center of the disk 301.
[0450] The following describes a case wherein the disk 301 having a
mass imbalance is mounted on the disk drive apparatus of the ninth
embodiment in which the balancer 223 having the inner wall faces
325a, 325b, 325c and 325d of the outer periphery and shown in FIG.
28 are mounted on the clamper 316, and the disk 301 is rotated at
high speed.
[0451] In the condition shown in FIG. 29(e), a movement force R,
although slight, acts on the ball 324a in the right rotation
direction, and the ball 324a located on the upper side moves to the
right position indicated in a broken line.
[0452] In the ninth embodiment, the eccentricity distance for
dislocating the centers of the arcs of the inner wall faces 325a,
325b, 325c and 325d of the outer periphery from the rotation center
of the disk 301 is about 10 to 100 .mu.m. If this eccentricity
distance is made larger than necessary, the movement forces R due
to the dislocation of the arc centers become larger than the
movement forces R caused by whirling vibration due to the mass
imbalance of the disk 301, and all the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and
324d move in the right rotation direction (the clockwise
direction), thereby making it impossible to cancel the mass
imbalance of the disk 301.
[0453] FIG. 30 is a plan sectional view showing the inner structure
of another balancer 233 in the disk drive apparatus of the ninth
embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 30, in the
ninth embodiment of the present invention, flat portions 337a,
337b, 337c and 337d are provided at the portions of the inner wall
faces 325a, 325b, 325c and 325d of the outer periphery in the
vicinities of the partition walls 330a, 330b, 330c and 330d
respectively. These flat portions 337a, 337b, 337c and 337d are
provided at positions wherein the ball 324a is apt to be left as
shown in FIG. 29(e). By providing the flat portions 337a, 337b,
337c and 337d at the portions of the inner wall faces 325a, 325b,
325c and 325d of the outer periphery in the vicinities of the
partition walls 330a, 330b, 330c and 330d as described above, 324a,
324b.
[0454] The same effect as that obtained in the case when the
centers of the arcs of the inner wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c and
325d of the outer periphery are slightly dislocated from the
rotation center of the disk 301 can be obtained. This is because
the distances to the flat portions 337a, 337b, 337c and 337d from
the rotation centers of the disk 301 become longer as the movement
advances in the right rotation direction, thereby having a
configuration similar to that obtained in the case when the centers
of the arcs of the inner wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c and 325d of
the outer periphery are dislocated.
[0455] When resin mold products are mass-produced, the accuracy
control in processing a metal mold can be made easier in the case
when the balancer is configured by providing the flat portions at
the portions in the vicinities of the partition walls as shown in
FIG. 30 than in the case when the balancer is configured by making
the centers of the arcs of the inner wall faces of the outer
periphery eccentric as shown in FIG. 28, whereby drastic reduction
can be attained in processing time and cost.
[0456] In the disk drive apparatus of the ninth embodiment of the
present invention, the balls used as balance members and made of a
magnetic material have been taken as an example; however, an effect
similar to that of the ninth embodiment can also be obtained even
if balls formed of a non-magnetic material are used.
[0457] Furthermore, in the ninth embodiment of the present
invention, the case wherein the number of the partition walls is
four has been described; however, in the present invention, the
number is not limited to this; even if the hollow ring-shaped
portion is divided by about two to eight partition walls, an effect
similar to that of the ninth embodiment can be obtained.
[0458] Furthermore, in the disk drive apparatus of the ninth
embodiment of the present invention, the balancer 223 provided in
the clamper 316 has been taken as an example and explained;
however, an effect similar to that of the ninth embodiment can be
obtained, provided that the balancer is installed so as to be
coaxial with the rotation center of the disk 301 and rotatable
integrally with the disk 301. For example, it is possible to have a
configuration wherein the balancer is provided on the turntable 310
on which the disk 301 is mounted, or in the rotor portion of the
spindle motor, or on the sub-base 306 on the opposite side of the
spindle motor 302 so that the balancer is rotatable integrally with
the spindle motor shaft 321.
[0459] Furthermore, in the ninth embodiment, an example wherein the
shape of the inner wall face of the outer periphery of the
arc-shaped balance chamber is the portion of the arc of a perfect
circle has been taken and explained; however, the present invention
is not limited to this, and a similar effect can be obtained even
if the shape is the portion of the arc of an ellipse.
10th Embodiment
[0460] Next, a disk drive apparatus in accordance with a 10th
embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to
the drawings.
[0461] FIGS. 31 and 32 are plan sectional views showing the inner
structure of a balancer 224 provided in a clamper in accordance
with the 10th embodiment of the present invention, and indicating
the movements of the balls inside the balancer 224. The elements
having functions substantially identical to those of the elements
of the disk drive apparatuses of the above-mentioned seventh,
eighth and ninth embodiments are represented by the same numeral
codes, and the descriptions for the preceding embodiments are
applied, thereby omitting overlap descriptions. In addition, since
the balancer 224 of the 10th embodiment is shown similarly to the
balancer 221 in the vertical sectional view shown in the
above-mentioned FIG. 12, the vertical sectional view of the
balancer 224 of the 10th embodiment is omitted.
[0462] In the disk drive apparatus of the 10th embodiment of the
present invention, the partition walls for dividing the hollow
ring-shaped portion 320 of the balancer 224 provided in the clamper
316 are configured so as to be held rotatably.
[0463] In the disk drive apparatus of the 10th embodiment,
partition walls 338a, 338b and 338c are provided so as to divide
the hollow ring-shaped portion 320. The partition walls 338a, 338b
and 338c are formed integrally with a ring-shaped partition wall
holder 339 that is held rotatably around the outer periphery of the
magnet 318. Therefore, the partition walls 338a, 338b and 338c can
rotate inside the hollow ring-shaped portion 320 while maintaining
intervals of 120 degrees. In addition, magnetic metal balls 324a,
324b and 324c are accommodated inside the arc-shaped balance
chambers 323a, 323b and 323c of the hollow ring-shaped portion 320
partitioned by the partition walls 338a, 338b and 338c
respectively.
[0464] In the disk drive apparatus of the 10th embodiment
configured as described above, the movement-conditions of the balls
324a, 324b and 324c in the case when the disk 301 having a mass
imbalance is rotated at a high speed of 100 Hz will be
described.
[0465] FIG. 31 is a view showing the change of the positions of the
balls 324a, 324b and 324c inside the clamper 316 with the passage
of time in the case when the disk 301 having a mass imbalance is
mounted on the disk drive apparatus of the 10th embodiment and
rotated while being accelerated. The conditions shown in FIG. 31
are conditions wherein the position of the center of gravity G of
the disk 301 having a mass imbalance is located on the upper side
of the center projection 317 in the area of the magnet 318, also
showing that the disk 301 is clamped in the conditions. In FIG. 31,
the condition of the balancer changes in the directions of the open
arrows as the rotation speed of the disk 301 increases.
[0466] (a) of FIG. 31 shows a condition wherein the disk 301 is at
rest, and the balls 324a, 324b and 324c are attracted by the magnet
318.
[0467] (b) of FIG. 31 shows the initial condition of the
acceleration of the disk 301; since the rotation speed of the disk
301 is low, and the relationship of [centrifugal force]<[magnet
force] is present at this time, the balls 324a, 324b and 324c still
remain attracted by the magnetic force of the magnet 318 with the
partition wall holder 339 disposed therebetween. At this time, the
disk 301 rotates rightward (rotates in the clockwise direction in
(b) of FIG. 31), and the balls 324 move along the outer peripheral
face of the partition wall holder 339 while rotating leftward
(rotating in the counterclockwise direction in (b) of FIG. 31) due
to inertia forces, opposite to the rotation direction of the disk
301.
[0468] (c) of FIG. 31 shows the intermediate condition of the
acceleration of the disk 301; since the rotation speed of the disk
301 is high, and the relationship of [centrifugal force]>[magnet
force] is present at this time, the balls 324a, 324b and 324c
separate from the magnetic force of the magnet 318, and reach the
inner wall face 325 of the outer periphery of the hollow
ring-shaped portion 320.
[0469] In the condition shown in (c) of FIG. 31, the amplitude of
the whirling vibration of the disk 301 increases, and due to the
influence, the amplitude of the whirling vibration of the sub-frame
306 also increases. At this time, since the phase difference of the
vibration between the tracking direction (the movement direction of
the head) and the jitter direction (the direction perpendicular to
the tracking direction) of the whirling vibration of the sub-frame
306 is 90 degrees, the composite force of the centrifugal forces of
the balls 324a, 324b and 324c concentrates in the direction (on the
left side of (c) of FIG. 31) 90 degrees dislocated from the center
of gravity G of the disk 301, and the balls 324a, 324b and 324c
move in the direction.
[0470] (d) of FIG. 31 shows the final condition of the acceleration
of the disk 301; the phase difference of the vibration between the
tracking direction and the jitter direction of the whirling
vibration of the sub-frame 306 becomes close to 180 degrees;
therefore, the movement force R for pressing the left ball against
the partition wall 38 in the left rotation direction increases. As
a result, the composite force of the centrifugal forces of the
balls 324a, 324b and 324c concentrates in the direction (on the
lower side) about 180 degrees dislocated from the center of gravity
G of the disk 301, and the balls 324a, 324b and 324c and the
partition walls 338a, 338b and 338c rotate and move. However, in
the condition shown in (d) of FIG. 31, the composite force of the
centrifugal forces of the balls 324a, 324b and 324c is still in the
slightly lower left direction, whereby the centrifugal force due to
the mass imbalance of the disk 301 is not canceled by the
centrifugal forces of the balls 324a, 324b and 324c, and the
composite force of the centrifugal forces thereof is present.
[0471] (e) of FIG. 31 shows the end condition of the acceleration
of the disk 301, and the rotation speed of the disk 301 has reached
the maximum speed of 100 Hz. At this time, the three balls 324a,
324b and 324c gather at positions 180 degrees away from the center
of gravity G of the disk 301 having a mass imbalance, whereby the
mass imbalance of the disk 301 is canceled sufficiently. Therefore,
the whirling vibration of the sub-base 306 in the disk drive
apparatus of the fourth embodiment is suppressed.
[0472] In the disk drive apparatus of the 10th embodiment, the
partition walls 338a, 338b and 338c are provided at uniform
intervals of about 120 degrees, and the partition walls 338a, 338b
and 338c are held rotatably as described above; therefore, the 10th
embodiment does not cause the problem described by using FIG. 29 in
the above-mentioned embodiment 3, that is, the problem of leaving
the balls at positions wherein the imbalance of the disk 301
increases because of the fixed partition walls.
[0473] Next, in the disk drive apparatus of the 10th embodiment,
the movement conditions of the balls in the case when a disk 301
having no mass imbalance is mounted on the disk drive apparatus and
the disk 301 is rotated at a high speed of 100 Hz will be described
by using FIG. 32.
[0474] In FIG. 32, the condition of the balancer changes in the
directions of the open arrows as the rotation speed of the disk 301
increases. In FIG. 32, since the disk 301 has no mass imbalance,
the indication of its center of gravity G is omitted. In addition,
it is not necessary to consider the positional relationship between
the center of gravity of the disk 301 and the partition walls,
since the disk 301 has no mass imbalance.
[0475] (a) of FIG. 32 shows a condition wherein the disk 301 is at
rest, and the balls 324a, 324b and 324c are attracted by the magnet
318.
[0476] (b) of FIG. 32 shows the initial condition of the
acceleration of the disk 301. Since the rotation speed of the disk
301 is low, and the relationship of [centrifugal force]<[magnet
force] is present at this time, the balls 324a, 324band 324c still
remain attracted by the magnetic force of the magnet 318 via the
partition wall holder 339. At this time, the disk 301 rotates
rightward, and the balls 324a, 324b and 324c move along the outer
peripheral face of the partition wall holder 339 while rotating
leftward due to inertia forces, opposite to the rotation direction
of the disk 301.
[0477] (c) of FIG. 32 shows the intermediate condition of the
acceleration of the disk 301. Since the rotation speed of the disk
301 is high, and the relationship of [centrifugal force]>[magnet
force] is present at this time, the balls 324a, 324b and 324c
separate from the magnetic force of the magnet 318, and reach the
inner wall face 325 of the outer periphery of the hollow
ring-shaped portion 320. At this time, the balls 324a, 324b and
324c still move in the direction (leftward rotation), opposite to
the rotation direction of the disk 301.
[0478] (d) of FIG. 32 shows the final condition of the acceleration
of the disk 301; the balls 324a, 324b and 324c make contact with
the partition walls 338a, 338b and 338c. However, since the
partition walls 338a, 338b and 338c are held rotatably, the balls
324a, 324b and 324c and the partition walls 338a, 338b and 338c
rotate integrally in the leftward direction (the counterclockwise
direction) due to the inertia forces of the balls 324a, 324b and
324c.
[0479] (e) of FIG. 32 shows the end condition of the acceleration
of the disk 301. In this condition, the rotation speed of the disk
301 has reached the maximum speed of 100 Hz. At this time, the
inertia forces of the balls 324a, 324b and 324c are low, whereby
the balls 324a, 324b and 324c and the partition walls 338a, 338b
and 338c stop rotating in their contact conditions.
[0480] In the disk drive apparatus of the 10th embodiment, the
partition walls 338a, 338b and 338c are provided at uniform
intervals of 120 degrees as described above; therefore, when the
balls 324a, 324b and 324c become stable at the positions wherein
they make contact with the partition walls 338a, 338b and 338c, any
imbalance due to the dispositions of the balls 324a, 324b and 324c
does not occur at all.
[0481] Furthermore, the problem described in the above-mentioned
eighth embodiment, that is, the problem of causing noise due to the
collisions of the balls with the partition walls because the
partition walls are fixed at the time when the disk drive apparatus
is installed vertically and the disk 301 is rotated at low speed
has been solved since the partition walls in the 10th embodiment
are structured so as to be held rotatably. Even if the balls
collide with the partition walls for example, the impacts at the
time of the collisions of the balls are absorbed by the rotation of
the partition walls in the 10th embodiment, whereby noise due to
the collisions of the balls with the partition walls does not
occur.
[0482] In the disk drive apparatus of the 10th embodiment of the
present invention, the balls formed of a magnetic material have
been used for the description; however, since noise due to the
collisions of the balls with the partition walls does not occur in
the 10th embodiment, it is not necessary to attract the balls by
using magnetic force. Therefore, even if the balls formed of a
non-magnetic material are used, an effect similar to that of the
above-mentioned 10th embodiment can be obtained.
[0483] In the disk drive apparatus of the 10th embodiment of the
present invention, with respect to the number of the partition
walls for dividing the hollow ring-shaped portion 320, the case
wherein three partition walls provided at uniform intervals of the
center angle of 120 degrees has been described. However, as shown
in the plan sectional views of the balancers in FIGS. 33 to 37, the
number of the partition walls for dividing the hollow ring-shaped
portion 320 is not limited to three; an effect similar to that of
the above-mentioned 10th embodiment can be obtained even if the
hollow ring-shaped portion 320 is divided by two, three, four, six
or eight partition walls.
[0484] In FIGS. 33 to 37, the same numeral codes are assigned to
the elements having the same functions as those of the
above-mentioned elements; in the case of a plurality of elements,
lower-case alphabetic characters (a, b, c, . . . ) are attached in
order after the numeral code. Even if the number of the partition
walls is 5 or 7, although not shown in the drawings, it is not
necessary to say that a similar effect can be obtained.
[0485] In the disk drive apparatus of the 10th embodiment of the
present invention, the balancer provided in the clamper 316 has
been taken as an example and explained; however, the present
invention is not limited to this; an effect similar to that of the
above-mentioned 10th embodiment can be obtained, provided that the
hollow ring-shaped portion is installed so as to be coaxial with
the rotation center of the disk 301 and rotatable integrally with
the disk 301. For example, it is possible to have a configuration
wherein the balancer is provided on the turntable 310 on which the
disk 301 is mounted, or in the rotor portion of the spindle motor
302, or on the sub-base 306 on the opposite side of the spindle
motor 302 so that the balancer is rotatable integrally with the
spindle motor shaft 321.
11th Embodiment
[0486] Next, a disk drive apparatus in accordance with an 11th
embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to
the drawings. FIGS. 38 and 39 are plan sectional views showing the
inner structure of a balancers 225 provided in a clamper in
accordance with the 11th embodiment of the present invention. In
FIGS. 38 and 39, the elements having functions substantially
identical to those of the elements of the disk drive apparatuses of
the above-mentioned seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th embodiments are
represented by the same numeral codes, and the descriptions for the
preceding embodiments are applied, thereby omitting overlap
descriptions. In addition, since the balancer 225 of the 11th
embodiment is shown similarly to the balancer 221 in the vertical
sectional view shown in the above-mentioned FIG. 12, the vertical
sectional view of the balancer 225 of the 11th embodiment is
omitted.
[0487] The disk drive apparatus of the 11th embodiment of the
present invention is configured such that the partition walls for
dividing the hollow ring-shaped portion 320 of the balancer 225 are
a mixture of two types of partition walls, a fixed type and a
rotation type. Fixed-type partition walls 340a and 340b are fixed
to the balancer 225 so as to divide the hollow ring-shaped portion
320 into two portions, and the rotation-type partition walls 338a
and 338b are held so as to be rotatable around the outer periphery
of the magnet 318. The rotation-type partition walls 338a and 338b
provided to divide the hollow ring-shaped portion 320 into two
portions are formed integrally with a ring-shaped partition wall
holder 339 that is held rotatably around the outer periphery of the
magnet 318.
[0488] Balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d each formed of a magnetic
material are accommodated in the arc-shaped balance chambers 323a,
323b, 323c and 323d divided by the four partition walls 338a, 338b,
340a and 340b respectively. Therefore, the balls 324a, 324b, 324c
and 324d are accommodated in the arc-shaped balance chambers 323a,
323b, 323c and 323d enclosed by the rotation-type partition walls
338a and 338b and the fixed-type partition walls 340a and 340b,
whereby the sizes of the balance chambers 323a, 323b, 323c and
323d, in which the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d are movable, are
variable.
[0489] Next, in the disk drive apparatus of the 11th embodiment,
the movement conditions of the balls in the case when the disk 301
having a mass imbalance is rotated will be described by using FIG.
38.
[0490] In the disk drive apparatus of the 11th embodiment of the
present invention configured as described above, the case when the
disk 301 having a mass imbalance is mounted on the disk drive
apparatus and the disk 301 is rotated at a high speed of 100 Hz
will be described. In FIG. 38, the condition of the balancer
changes in the directions of the open arrows as the rotation speed
of the disk increases.
[0491] (a) of FIG. 38 shows a condition wherein the disk 301 is at
rest, and the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d are attracted by the
magnet 318.
[0492] (b) of FIG. 38 shows the initial condition of the
acceleration of the disk 301. Since the rotation speed of the disk
301 is low, and the relationship of [centrifugal force]<[magnet
force] is present at this time, the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d
still remain attracted by the magnetic force of the magnet 318 with
the partition wall holder 339 disposed therebetween. At this time,
the disk 301 rotates rightward (in the clockwise direction), and
the balls.324a, 324b, 324c and 324d move along the outer peripheral
face of the partition wall holder 339 while rotating leftward (in
the counterclockwise direction) due to inertia forces, opposite to
the rotation direction of the disk 301.
[0493] (c) of FIG. 38 shows the intermediate condition of the
acceleration of the disk 301. Since the rotation speed of the disk
301 is high, and the relationship of [centrifugal force]>[magnet
force] is present at this time, the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d
separate from the magnetic force of the magnet 318, and reach the
inner wall face 325 of the outer periphery of the hollow
ring-shaped portion 320. At this time, the amplitude of the
whirling vibration of the disk 301 increases, and due to the
influence, the amplitude of the whirling vibration of the sub-frame
306 also increases. At this time, since the phase difference of the
vibration between the tracking direction (the movement direction of
the head) and the jitter direction (the direction perpendicular to
the tracking direction) of the whirling vibration of the sub-frame
306 is 90 degrees, the composite force of the centrifugal forces of
the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d concentrates in the direction
(on the left side of (c) of FIG. 38) 90 degrees dislocated from the
center of gravity G of the disk 301, and the balls 324a, 324b, 324c
and 324d move in the direction.
[0494] (d) of FIG. 38 shows the final condition of the acceleration
of the disk 301. At this time, the phase difference of the
vibration between the tracking direction and the jitter direction
of the whirling vibration of the sub-frame 306 becomes close to 180
degrees; therefore, the composite force of the centrifugal forces
of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d concentrates in the
direction (on the lower side) about 180 degrees dislocated from the
center of gravity G of the disk 301, and the balls 324a, 324b, 324c
and 324d move. However, in the condition shown in (d) of FIG. 38,
the composite force of the centrifugal forces of the balls 324a,
324b, 324c and 324d is still in the slightly lower left direction,
whereby the direction of the centrifugal force due to the mass
imbalance of the disk 301 does not become opposite to the direction
of the centrifugal forces of the balls, and the composite force of
the centrifugal forces thereof is present.
[0495] (e) of FIG. 38 shows the end condition of the acceleration
of the disk 301; at this time, the rotation frequency of the disk
301 has reached the maximum speed of 100 Hz. In (e) of FIG. 38, the
ball 324d on the left side has a large movement force R for
pressing the partition wall 338b in the leftward direction (the
counterclockwise direction), whereby the ball 324d applies pressure
to rotate the other three balls 324a, 324b and 324c and the
partition wall. As a result, the composite force of the centrifugal
forces of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d is dislocated about
180 degrees from the mass imbalance of the disk 301, whereby the
mass imbalance of the disk 301 is canceled sufficiently. Therefore,
the whirling vibration of the sub-base 306 in the disk drive
apparatus of the 11th embodiment is suppressed.
[0496] By the rotation partition walls 338a and 338b and the fixed
partition walls 340a and 340b, the hollow ring-shaped portion 320
is divided into the plural arc-shaped balance chambers 323a, 323b,
323c and 323d, the sizes of which are variable, as described above;
therefore, the movable ranges of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and
324d of the 11th embodiment are expanded drastically in comparison
with the case wherein only the fixed partition walls are used just
as in the case of the above-mentioned seventh embodiment, or in
comparison with the case wherein only the rotation partition walls
are used just as in the case of the above-mentioned 10th
embodiment. For this reason, the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d in
the 11th embodiment can easily concentrate on the 180-degree
opposite side from the center of gravity G of the mass imbalance of
the disk. As a result, in the disk drive apparatus of the 11th
embodiment, the weight and the number of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c
and 324d and the diameter of the hollow ring-shaped portion can be
set at relatively small values.
[0497] Next, in the disk drive apparatus of the 11th embodiment,
the movement conditions of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d in
the case when a uniform disk 301 having no mass imbalance is
mounted and the disk 301 is rotated at high speed, i.e., at a
rotation frequency of 100 Hz, will be described by using FIG. 39.
In FIG. 39, the condition of the balancer changes in the directions
of the open arrows as the rotation speed of the disk 301 increases.
In FIG. 39, since the disk 301 has no mass imbalance, the
indication of its center,of gravity G is omitted.
[0498] (a) of FIG. 39 shows a condition wherein the disk 301 is at
rest, and the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d are attracted by the
magnet 318.
[0499] (b) of FIG. 39 shows the initial condition of the
acceleration of the disk 301. Since the rotation speed of the disk
301 is low, and the relationship of [centrifugal force]<[magnet
force] is present at this time, the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 325d
still remain attracted by the magnetic force of the magnet 318 with
the partition wall holder 339 disposed therebetween. In the
condition shown in (b) of FIG. 39, the disk 301 rotates rightward
(the clockwise direction), and the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 325d
move along the outer peripheral face of the partition wall holder
339 while rotating leftward (the counterclockwise direction) due to
inertia forces, opposite to the rotation direction of the disk
301.
[0500] (c) of FIG. 39 shows the intermediate condition of the
acceleration of the disk 301. Since the rotation speed of the disk
301 is high, and the relationship of [centrifugal force]>[magnet
force] is present at this time, the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 325d
separate from the magnetic force of the magnet 318, and reach the
inner wall face 325 of the outer periphery of the hollow
ring-shaped portion 320. At this time, the balls 324a, 324b, 324c
and 325d still move in the direction (the counterclockwise
direction), opposite to the rotation direction of the disk 301.
[0501] (d) of FIG. 39 shows the final condition of the acceleration
of the disk 301; the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 325d make contact
with the partition walls 338a, 338b, 340a and 340b. However, since
the two partition walls 338a and 338b are held rotatably with
respect to the magnet 318, the balls 324b and 324d and the
partition walls 338a and 338b rotate integrally in the leftward
direction (rotate in the counterclockwise direction) due to the
inertia forces of the balls 324b and 324d. The balls 324a and 324c
making contact with the fixed partition walls 340a and 340b stop at
the positions.
[0502] (e) of FIG. 39 shows the end condition of the acceleration
of the disk 301, and the rotation speed of the disk 301 has reached
the maximum speed of 100 Hz. Until this time, the balls 324b and
324d push the two rotation-type partition walls 338a and 338b, and
they make contact with the balls 324a and 324c, which have made
contact with the two fixed-type partition walls 340a and 340b and
stopped, and then stop. After that, the inertia forces of the balls
324a and 324d decrease, and the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d and
the partition walls 338a, 338b, 340a and 340b stop rotating in the
contact condition.
[0503] Since the rotation-type partition walls 338a and 338b and
the fixed-type partition walls 340a and 340b are positioned 180
degrees apart from one another as described above; therefore, when
the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d become stable at the positions
wherein they make contact with the partition walls 338a, 338b, 340a
and 340b, any imbalance due to the weights of the balls 324a, 324b,
324c and 324d does not occur at all.
[0504] In the disk drive apparatus of the 11th embodiment of the
present invention, the hollow ring-shaped portion divided by a
total of four partition walls, i.e., the two rotation-type
partition walls and the two fixed-type partition walls, has been
taken as an example and explained; however, the number of the
partition walls for dividing the hollow ring-shaped portion in the
present invention is not limited to four; even if it is divided by
about four to eight partition walls, a similar effect can be
obtained. However, in the case of a uniform disk having no mass
imbalance, the number of the rotation-type partition walls should
preferably be the same as that of the two fixed-type partition
walls to ensure the uniformity of the dispositions of the
balls.
[0505] Furthermore, in the disk drive apparatus of the 11th
embodiment of the present invention, the balancer provided in the
clamper has been taken as an example; however, an effect similar to
that of the above-mentioned 11th embodiment can be obtained,
provided that the balancer of the present invention is installed so
as to be coaxial with the rotation center of the disk and rotatable
integrally with the disk. For example, it is possible to have a
configuration wherein the balancer is provided on the turntable on
which the disk is mounted, or in the rotor portion of the spindle
motor, or on the sub-base on the opposite side of the spindle motor
so that the balancer is rotatable integrally with the spindle motor
shaft.
[0506] As described in the above-mentioned embodiment 2, attaching
the elastic bodies to the partition walls, or using the partition
walls themselves formed of elastic bodies can also be attained in
the above-mentioned 11th embodiment; by the attainment, it is
possible to improve noise being apt to occur due to the collisions
of the balls with the partition walls in the case when the disk is
rotated at low speed.
[0507] In addition, in the disk drive apparatus of the 11th
embodiment of the present invention, the case of using the balls
having magnetism has been described; however, even if a
non-magnetic material is used as the material of the balls, it is
possible to obtain a result similar to that obtained when the balls
having magnetism are used.
12th Embodiment
[0508] Next, a disk drive apparatus in accordance with a 12th
embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to
the drawings. FIG. 40 is a plan sectional view showing the inner
structure of a balancer 226 provided in a clamper in accordance
with the 11th embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 40, the
elements having functions substantially identical to those of the
elements of the disk drive apparatuses in the descriptions of the
above-mentioned seventh, eighth, ninth, 10th and 11th embodiments
are represented by the same numeral codes, and the descriptions for
the preceding embodiments are applied, thereby omitting overlap
descriptions. In addition, since the balancer 226 of the 12th
embodiment is shown similarly to the balancer 221 of the vertical
sectional view shown in the above-mentioned FIG. 12, the vertical
sectional view of the balancer 226 of the 12th embodiment is
omitted.
[0509] The balancer 226 in the disk drive apparatus of the 12th
embodiment of the present invention is provided in the clamper 316,
and the hollow ring-shaped portion 320 is divided into four
partition walls 330a, 330b, 330c and 330d, thereby having
arc-shaped balance chambers 323a, 323b, 323c and 323d. A magnet 318
is provided at the center of the balancer 226, and the magnetic
poles (the magnetic poles are indicated by N and S in FIG. 40) of
the magnet 318 are disposed so as to have a predetermined phase
relationship with respect to the partition walls 330a, 330b, 330c
and 330d. The above-mentioned predetermined positional relationship
is described below in detail; the magnetic poles of the magnet 318
are disposed in the vicinities of the partition walls 330a, 330b,
330c and 330d; in the case when the disk 301 stops rotating or
rotates at low speed, it is configured that the balls 324a, 324b,
324c and 324d used as magnetic bodies remain attracted at the
magnetic pole positions of the magnet 318.
[0510] FIG. 40 shows the positional relationship among the
partition walls 330a, 330b, 330c and 330d, the balls 324a, 324b,
324c and 324d used as magnetic bodies and the magnet 318 in the
case when the disk 301 stops rotating or rotates at low speed in
the disk drive apparatus of the 12th embodiment. As shown in FIG.
40, elastic bodies 341a, 341b, 341c and 341d are embedded in the
inner walls 325a, 325b, 325c and 325dof the outer periphery of the
hollow ring-shaped portion 320 respectively at positions opposite
to the positions of the magnetic poles (the N and S poles) of the
magnet 318.
[0511] In the balancer 226 shown in FIG. 40, the disk 301 mounted
on the disk drive apparatus, not shown, rotates in the rightward
rotation direction (the clockwise direction). Therefore, just as in
the cases of the above-mentioned seventh to 11th embodiments, at
the time of acceleration in the case of rotating the disk 301, the
balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d are moved by inertia forces; the
magnetic poles of the magnet 318 are disposed at the positions
wherein the balls make contact with the partition walls 330a, 330b,
330c and 330d. By disposing the magnetic poles of the magnet 318 as
described above, the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d are always
attracted and stopped at the positions wherein they make contact
with the partition walls 330a, 330b, 330c and 330d at the time when
the disk 301 is at rest or rotates at low speed. When the disk 301
is rotated at high speed in this kind of condition, and when the
centrifugal forces acting on the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d
become larger than the magnetic force of the magnet 318, the balls
324a, 324b, 324c and 324d are separated from the magnet 318 along
the partition walls 330a, 330b, 330c and 330d. At the time when the
disk 301 rotates at low speed, the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d
have been attracted by the magnetic force so as not to be separated
from the magnet 318; therefore, the speed of the balls 324 after
the separation increases abruptly.
[0512] However, in the vicinities of the partition walls 330a,
330b, 330c and 330d, the inner wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c and 325d
of the outer periphery are provided with the elastic bodies 341a,
341b, 341c and 341d on the faces to be collided with the balls
324a, 324b, 324c and 324d, whereby the balancer 226 of the 12th
embodiment is configured to absorb the shock caused at the time of
the collisions. With this configuration, in the disk drive
apparatus of the 12th embodiment, noise occurring at the time of
the collisions of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d with the
inner wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c and 325d of the outer periphery
has been improved.
[0513] The material of the elastic bodies 341a, 341b, 341c and 341d
should only be formed of a shock-absorbing material, such as
natural rubber, synthetic rubber, sponge or the like, and also
should only be a material capable of absorbing the shock occurring
at the time of the collisions of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and
324d with the inner wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c and 325d of the
outer periphery. Elastic bodies can be provided on the entire faces
of the inner wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c and 325d of the outer
periphery; however, in order that the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and
324d can easily move on the inner wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c and
325d of the outer periphery, the inner wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c
and 325d of the outer periphery are required to have smoothness and
sufficient rigidity so as not to be deformed by the centrifugal
forces of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d. To meet these
requirements, the material of the inner wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c
and 325d of the outer periphery should preferably be ABS,
polycarbonate, polyacetal or the like having high molding accuracy,
a resin capable of ensuring rigidity, or a metallic material, such
as aluminum, brass or the like.
[0514] In the disk drive apparatuses in the above-mentioned seventh
to 11th embodiments, since the positions of the magnet poles of the
magnet are not specified, the positions wherein the balls separate
from the magnet cannot be specified. For this reason, in the
seventh to 11th embodiments, it is difficult to prevent the noise
occurring at the time of the collisions of the balls with the inner
wall faces of the outer periphery. However, in the disk drive
apparatus of the 12th embodiment, the positions wherein the balls
324a, 324b, 324c and 324d separate from the magnet 318 can be
specified, whereby the occurrence of the noise due to the
collisions of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d with the inner
wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c and 325d of the outer periphery,
occurring when the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d separate from
the magnet 318, can be suppressed significantly.
[0515] In the above-mentioned seventh to 11th embodiments, in the
case when the magnetic force of the magnet is large, and when the
balls separate from the magnet by centrifugal forces, the rotation
speed of the disk at the time of the separation becomes high, and
the separation speed of the balls increases. In the case when the
magnetic force of the magnet is large as described above and when
the disk is rotated at high speed, large impact noise may occur in
some cases because of the collisions of the balls with the inner
wall faces of the outer periphery, when the balls separate from the
magnet, delayed from the intended rotation speed of the disk during
acceleration.
[0516] On the other hand, in the case when the magnetic force of
the magnet is small, the rotation speed of the disk at the time
when the balls separate from the magnet becomes low, and the speed
of the disk at the time when the ball separate decreases. In the
case when the magnetic force of the magnet is small as described
above, and when the disk drive apparatus is installed vertically
and the disk is rotated at low speed, the balls may separate due to
interference caused by the vibration of the sub-base or the like
before the disk reaches its intended rotation speed, whereby impact
noise due to the collisions of the balls with the partition walls
may occur.
[0517] In the disk drive apparatuses of the seventh to 11th
embodiments, noise problems are apt to occur even if the magnetic
force of the magnet is too large or too small; therefore, the
magnet requires a strict magnetizing work so that the magnet can
generate optimum magnetic force.
[0518] In the case of the disk drive apparatus of the 12th
embodiment of the present invention, the magnetizing work for the
magnet does not require such strictness as required by the
above-mentioned embodiments. This is because the positions wherein
the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d separate from the magnet 318
can be specified, whereby it is possible to take countermeasures
for the noise occurring at the time when the balls 324a, 324b, 324c
and 324d separate from the magnet 318 and collide with the inner
wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c and 325d of the outer periphery.
Therefore, in the 12th embodiment, magnetization can be carried out
so that the magnetic force of the magnet 318 can be sufficiently
large with an allowance, whereby an excellent effect of not
requiring any high-precision magnetizing work can be attained.
[0519] In the disk drive apparatus of the 12th embodiment of the
present invention, the case wherein the number of the partition
walls for dividing the hollow ring-shaped portion is four has been
described; however, in the present invention, the number of the
partition walls is not limited to four; an effect similar to that
of the 12th embodiment can be obtained even if the hollow
ring-shaped portion is divided into about two to eight partition
walls.
[0520] Furthermore, in the disk drive apparatus of the 12th
embodiment of the present invention, the balancer provided in the
clamper has been taken as an example and explained; however, an
effect similar to that of the 12th embodiment can be obtained,
provided that the balancer is installed so as to be coaxial with
the rotation center of the disk and rotatable integrally with the
disk. For example, it is possible to have a configuration wherein
the balancer is provided on the turntable on which the disk is
mounted, or in the rotor portion of the spindle motor, or on the
sub-base on the opposite side of the spindle motor so that the
balancer is rotatable integrally with the spindle motor shaft.
13th Embodiment
[0521] Next, a disk drive apparatus in accordance with a 13th
embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to
the drawings. FIG. 41 is a plan sectional view showing the inner
structure of a balancer 227 provided in a clamper in accordance
with the 13th embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 41, the
elements having functions substantially identical to those of the
elements of the disk drive apparatuses of the above-mentioned
seventh, eighth, ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th embodiments are
represented by the same numeral codes, and the descriptions for the
preceding embodiments are applied, thereby omitting overlap
descriptions. In addition, since the balancer 227 of the 13th
embodiment is shown similarly to the balancer 221 in the vertical
sectional view shown in the above-mentioned FIG. 12, the vertical
sectional view of the balancer 227 of the 13th embodiment is
omitted.
[0522] In the disk drive apparatus of the 13th embodiment of the
present invention, the hollow ring-shaped portion 320 of the
balancer provided in the clamper 316 is divided by partition walls
342a, 342b, 342c and 342d having a special shape, whereby it is
configured that the positions of the magnetic poles (the N and S
poles) of the magnet 318 with respect to the partition walls 342a,
342b, 342c and 342d have a predetermined relationship.
[0523] FIG. 41 shows the positional relationship among the
partition walls 342a, 342b, 342c and 342d, the balls 324a, 324b,
324c and 324d used as magnetic bodies and the magnetic poles of the
magnet 318. As shown in FIG. 41, the magnetic poles of the magnet
318 are disposed in the vicinities of the partition walls 342a,
342b, 342c and 342d; in the case when the disk 301 stops rotating
or rotates at low speed, it is configured that the balls 324a,
324b, 324c and 324d used as magnetic bodies remain attracted at the
magnetic pole positions of the magnet 318. In addition, the
partition walls 342a, 342b, 342c and 342d have the shape of a curve
so as to be connected to the inner wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c and
325d of the outer periphery.
[0524] As shown in FIG. 41, in the balancer 227 in the 13th
embodiment, at the time of acceleration in the case of rotating the
disk 301, the magnetic poles (the N and S poles) of the magnet 318
are disposed at positions wherein the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and
324d are intended to make contact with the partition walls 342a,
342b, 342c and 342d after being moved by inertia forces. Therefore,
when the disk 301 is at rest or rotates at low speed, the balls
324a, 324b, 324c and 324d are always attracted at the positions
wherein they make contact with the partition walls 342a, 342b, 342c
and 342d. In this condition, if the disk 301 is rotated at high
speed, when the centrifugal forces acting on the balls 324a, 324b,
324c and 324d become larger than the magnetic force of the magnet
318, the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d move along the partition
walls 342a, 342b, 342c and 342d and separate from the magnet
318.
[0525] In the 13th embodiment, the ball contact faces of the
partition walls 342a, 342b, 342c and 342d have the shape of a
curve, instead of the shape in parallel with the straight line
extending from the center of the balancer 227 in the radial
direction. Therefore, when the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d
separate from the magnet 318, they reach the inner wall faces 325a,
325b, 325c and 325d of the outer periphery of the hollow
ring-shaped portion 320 while rolling along the curves of the
partition walls 342a, 342b, 342c and 342d.
[0526] As shown in FIG. 41, the shape of the curve continuously
connected from the partition walls 342a, 342b, 342c and 342d to the
inner wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c and 325d of the outer periphery
respectively is formed to have a curvature smaller than the
curvature of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d. Therefore, when
the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d reach the inner wall faces
325a, 325b, 325c and 325dof the outer periphery, the centrifugal
forces of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d are converted to have
directions so that rolling occurs along the inner wall faces 325a,
325b, 325c and 325d of the outer periphery. Therefore, in the 13th
embodiment, after the separation of the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and
324d from the magnet 318, the balls 324a, 324b, 324c and 324d do
not collide with the inner wall faces 325a, 325b, 325c and 325d of
the outer periphery, whereby noise at the time of collisions is
prevented.
[0527] As described above, the disk drive apparatus of the 13th
embodiment of the present invention is configured so that the
positions wherein the balls separate from the magnet can be
specified just as in the case of the above-mentioned 12th
embodiment and so that the balls do not collide with the inner wall
faces of the outer periphery, whereby magnetization can be carried
out so that the magnetic force of the magnet can be sufficiently
large with an allowance.
[0528] In the disk drive apparatus of the 13th embodiment of the
present invention, the case wherein the number of the partition
walls for dividing the hollow ring-shaped portion is four has been
described; however, in the present invention, the number of the
partition walls is not limited to four; an effect similar to that
of the 13th embodiment can be obtained even if the hollow
ring-shaped portion is divided into about two to eight partition
walls.
[0529] Furthermore, in the disk drive apparatus of the 13th
embodiment of the present invention, the balancer provided in the
clamper is taken as an example and explained; however, an effect
similar to that of the 13th embodiment can be obtained, provided
that the balancer is installed so as to be coaxial with the
rotation center of the disk and rotatable integrally with the disk.
For example, it is possible to have a configuration wherein the
balancer is provided on the turntable on which the disk is mounted,
or in the rotor portion of the spindle motor, or on the sub-base on
the opposite side of the spindle motor so that the balancer is
rotatable integrally with the spindle motor shaft.
[0530] As described above, in the disk drive apparatuses of the
seventh to 13th embodiments of the present invention, a ring-shaped
track indicated by a hollow ring-shaped portion is divided into
plural arc-shaped tracks by partition walls, and a balancer
comprising balance members moving in the tracks is provided so as
to be rotatable integrally with the disk, thereby attaining an
effect of securely suppressing vibration being apt to occur when
the disk is rotated at high speed, regardless of the mass imbalance
of the disk.
[0531] With this effect, in the present invention, stable recording
or reproduction can be carried out even if the disk is rotated at
high speed, whereby it is possible to attain a disk drive apparatus
causing low noise, having high vibration-resistant and
impact-resistant characteristics, and being capable of carrying out
high-rate data transfer.
Problems to be Solved By the 14th to 19th Embodiments
[0532] In recent years, in disk drive apparatuses for
recording/reproducing data, raising the rotation speed of the disk
used as a recording medium to higher speed has been advanced to
improve data transfer rate. However, the vibration of the disk
increases abruptly as the rotation speed of the disk is raised.
[0533] In data recording/reproduction, the vibration of the disk is
transmitted to the spindle motor, chassis, traverse rail, traverse
arm and the like; eventually, the head for reading and writing
signals on the disk vibrates. For this reason, in a disk drive
apparatus having a structure similar to a conventional structure,
it is difficult to attain stable recording/reproduction. In other
words, in order to carry out stable recording/reproduction, the
rotation speed of the disk must-be selected so as to be lower than
the value required theoretically to suppress the vibration of the
disk Therefore, in the conventional disk drive apparatus, its
actual data transfer rate is insufficient, thereby causing a
problem of insufficient recording/reproducing speed.
[0534] On the other hand, in personal computers and the like,
vibration occurring from a disk device may induce malfunction of
another disk device external to one disk device. In addition, noise
caused by the vibration of the disk device results in hindrance to
office activities, reduction in the value of home use entertainment
software and the like.
[0535] Furthermore, wear and deterioration at the bearings and the
spindle shaft of the spindle motor are accelerated by the vibration
of the disk, thereby further increasing the vibration of the disk.
Therefore, suppressing the vibration of the disk has been an
important task to be attained in order to improve data transfer
rate by increasing the rotation speed of the disk.
[0536] An example of a conventional disk drive apparatus will be
described below referring to the drawings.
[0537] FIG. 42 is a perspective view showing the conventional disk
drive apparatus. Referring to FIG. 42, a disk 501 is mounted on a
turntable 582 and secured with a clamper 581, and then rotated by a
spindle motor 502. A head 503 reads data recorded on the disk 501
or writes data on the disk 501. A traverse mechanism 505,
comprising a rack 506, a pinion 507 and the like, converts the
rotation motion of a traverse motor 504 into a linear motion, and
transmits it to the head 503. The head 503 is moved in the radial
direction of the disk 501 by this traverse mechanism 505. The
spindle motor 502, the traverse motor 504 and the traverse
mechanism 505 are mounted on a sub-base 508. Vibration and impact
transmitted from outside the device to the sub-base 508 are
dampened by insulators 509 (elastic bodies), and the sub-base 508
is mounted on a main base 510 via these insulators 508.
[0538] The above-mentioned disk drive apparatus is configured so as
to be built in a computer or the like via a frame (not shown)
installed on the main base 510.
[0539] FIG. 43 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the
spindle motor 502 of the conventional disk drive apparatus. A
turntable 582 is secured to a spindle motor shaft 528 and rotatably
supports the clamp area 511 of the disk 501. On the turntable 582,
a boss 522 to be fitted into the clamp hole 512 of the disk 501 is
formed integrally. By fitting the clamp hole 512 of the disk 501 on
the boss 522, the disk 501 is positioned.
[0540] In the face (the upper face in FIG. 43) of the boss 522,
opposite to the clamper 581, a positioning hole 523 is formed. In
addition, a ring-shaped opposed yoke 524 is embedded and secured
onto the upper face of the boss 522.
[0541] As shown in FIG. 43, the clamper. 581 has a disk holder 542
making contact with the upper face of the mounted disk 501 and a
magnet holder 543. A flat face making contact with the disk 501 is
formed on the lower face of the disk holder 542. A center
projection 546, which engages the positioning hole 523 provided in
the boss 522 of the turntable 582 so that the turntable 582 and the
clamper 581 have the same center position, is secured to the magnet
holder 543. In addition, a magnet 544 and a back yoke 545 are
secured inside the magnet holder 543.
[0542] In the conventional disk drive apparatus configured as
describe above, in the condition wherein the disk 501 is clamped,
the clamp hole 512 fits on the boss 522, whereby the disk 501 is
mounted on the turntable 582. At this time, the disk 501 is held by
the magnetic attraction acting between the magnet 544 accommodated
in the clamper 581 and the opposed yoke 524 secured to the boss of
the turntable 582. The disk 501 held between the clamper 581 and
the turntable 582 in this way is rotated integrally with the
turntable 582 and the clamper 581 by the rotation of the spindle
motor 502.
[0543] However, in the conventional disk drive apparatus configured
as described above, if the disk 501 is rotated at high speed, the
disk 501 vibrates vigorously due to an imbalance caused by the
nonuniform thickness of the disk 501, the face deflection of the
turntable 582 and the like.
[0544] FIG. 44 is a side sectional view showing the vibration
condition of the disk 501 in the case when the disk 501 is mounted
on the turntable 582 of the conventional disk drive apparatus and
the disk 501 is rotated.
[0545] The turntable 582 in the conventional disk drive apparatus
shown in FIG. 44 is installed so as to be tilted with respect to
the spindle shaft 528. In the case when the disk 501 is mounted on
this turntable 582 and rotated at high speed, a centrifugal force X
acts on the disk 501 in the radial direction around the spindle
shaft 528 on the plane perpendicular to the spindle shaft 528. This
centrifugal force X causes a tension force A on the disk 501 in the
radial direction of the disk 501 and a bending force B for
attempting to bend the disk 501 in the direction perpendicular to
the recording face of the disk 501. The tension force A and the
bending force B increase in nearly proportional to the square of
the rotation frequency of the disk 501.
[0546] Among the forces generated by the centrifugal force X, the
bending force B acting nearly perpendicularly on the recording face
of the disk 501 elastically deforms the disk 501. In the case when
the disk 501 is rotated in this condition, there is a rotation
frequency wherein the vibration of the disk 501 increases
abruptly.
[0547] This is a resonance phenomenon that occurs when a frequency
having an integral multiple of the rotation frequency of the disk
501 coincides with the resonance frequency of the disk 501. All
solid objects usually have resonance frequencies depending on the
material and shape; in the case when these solid objects are
rotated or vibrated, it has been designed that the above-mentioned
resonance frequency does not coincide with the integral multiple of
the rotation frequency or the vibration frequency.
[0548] However, just as in the case of the disk drive apparatus,
the resonance phenomenon is sometimes inevitable in the case when
the head 503 is accurately positioned at a predetermined position
while the disk 501 is rotated at high speed, or in the case when
the rotation frequency of the disk is provided with a constant
range.
[0549] Furthermore, since the rotation frequency of the disk 501
was low in the conventional disk drive apparatus, the centrifugal
force X occurring on the disk 501 was small, and the force B, i.e.,
a component of the centrifugal force X, for attempting to bend the
disk was small. Therefore, although the disk 501 resonated even in
the conventional disk drive apparatus, the amplitude thereof was
small, whereby this problem did not become apparent. However,
because of the increase in the rotation speed of the disk 501 in
recent years, the problem of the vibration of the disk 501 has
become apparent as a problem to be solved.
[0550] The disk 501 has inherent vibration modes (forms) depending
on the elastic modulus of the material thereof and the shape
thereof, such as thickness, diameter and the like. As the vibration
modes, "two-division mode," "four-division mode," "six-division
mode" and "eight-division mode" are available for example. These
vibration modes will be described below.
[0551] FIG. 45 is a plan view showing the disk 501 and illustrating
the case when the disk 501 vibrates in the "two-division mode," the
simplest vibration mode, wherein the resonance frequency is the
lowest among the resonance frequencies. As shown in FIG. 45, when
the disk 501 is rotated, the vibration in the "two-division mode"
occurs on the disk 501. In FIG. 45, the chain line indicated on the
disk 501 shown in (a) represents the position of the crest of the
vibration; and the broken line indicated on the disk 501 shown in
(b) represents the position of the trough of the vibration. As
described above, the vibration in the "two-division mode" is
defined as vibration wherein the disk 501 vibrates while the
conditions shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 45 occur alternately.
[0552] FIG. 46 is a plan view showing the disk 501 and illustrating
the case when the disk 501 vibrates in the "four-division mode." As
shown in FIG. 46, just as in the case of the above-mentioned FIG.
45, the disk 501 vibrates in the "four-division mode" while the
conditions shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 46 occur alternately.
Similarly, FIG. 47 is a plan view showing the disk 501 and
illustrating the condition wherein the disk 501 vibrates in the
"six-division mode," and FIG. 48 is a plan view showing the disk
501 and illustrating the condition wherein the disk 501 vibrates in
the "eight-division mode."
[0553] In the case when the disk 501 rotates and the disk 501
vibrates, and the crest and trough of the vibration occur
alternately in the radial direction thereof, the disk 501 vibrates
in a vibration mode, such as the "two-division mode,"
"four-division mode," "six-division mode" and "eight-division mode"
shown in FIGS. 45 to 48. When the disk 501 vibrates, it vibrates in
a specific vibration mode depending on the resonance frequency
inherent in the disk 501. In reality, the disk 501 has higher
resonance frequencies, and more complicated vibration modes are
present; however, since the amplitudes in such modes are small, the
modes are omitted in the description of the present invention.
[0554] FIG. 49 is a graph showing the result of the vibration
analysis of the disk of the conventional disk drive apparatus. In
this vibration analysis, the disk 501 was rotated at a rotation
frequency of 100 Hz. The result of the vibration analysis is
described; for example, the vibration of the disk 501 in the case
when the disk 501 was rotated at a rotation frequency coincident
with the resonance frequency in the "two-division mode" was
subjected to a Fourier transform so that the vibration of the disk
501 was divided depending on frequency. In FIG. 49, the ordinate
represents the amplitude (dB) of the disk, and the abscissa
represents the vibration frequency (Hz) of the disk 501.
[0555] As shown in FIG. 49, the vibration condition of the disk 501
in the conventional disk drive apparatus has discrete extreme
values at specific vibration frequencies. In the graph shown in
FIG. 49, vibration peaks are present at the resonance frequencies
in the vibration modes of the "two-division mode," "four-division
mode," "six-division mode" and "eight-division mode," in the order
from the discrete extreme values at the smaller vibration
frequencies on the abscissa.
[0556] As shown in FIG. 49, the amplitude is larger as the
resonance frequency is lower; in the conventional disk drive
apparatus, the head 503 has been designed so that it follows the
vibration of the disk 501. As described above, the disk drive
apparatus is controlled so that the vibration of the disk 501 can
be canceled by the following of the head 503; therefore, in the
case when the resonance frequency of the disk 501 is low, the head
503 can cancel the amplitude of the disk 501 almost 100%. However,
as the resonance frequency becomes higher to the "four-division
mode," "six-division mode" and "eight-division mode," it becomes
difficult for the head 503 to follow the vibration of the disk 501,
thereby causing adverse effects on the recording and reproduction
of data.
[0557] Furthermore, even if the head 503 was able to follow the
vibration of the disk 501, the vibration of the disk 501 became
causes of the induction of the malfunction of other disk drive
apparatuses, the occurrence of noise and the shortened service life
of bearings, as described in the columns of the above-mentioned
prior art; therefore, it was necessary to reduce the vibration
itself of the disk 501 as low as possible.
[0558] The above-mentioned tilting of the turntable 582 is not the
only cause of the vibration of the disk 501. The vibration is also
caused by the face deflection of the disk 501, the eccentricity due
to the displacement between the outermost periphery and the clamp
hole 512 of the disk 501, and the like.
[0559] By minutely observing the vibration of the disk 501, the
inventors have found a new cause governing the vibration of the
disk 501, other than the problems having been examined up to now.
The new cause is the flatness of the disk holding face 547 of the
clamper 581 for holding the clamp area 511 of the disk 501.
[0560] Although the disk holding face 547 of the clamper 581 looks
flat at a glance, it has minute unevenness in the case of resin
mold products used generally. When the disk holding face 547 of the
clamper 581 having this unevenness was ground slightly with
sandpaper formed to have the shape of a flat face, it was able to
detect such three worn portions as shown in (b) of FIG. 50. (a) of
FIG. 50 is a side sectional view of the clamper 581 of the
conventional disk drive apparatus, and the (b) of FIG. 50 is a
reverse-side view showing the disk holding face 547 of the clamper
581 of FIG. 50. The worn portions indicated by the diagonally
shaded areas in (b) of FIG. 50 show the fact that three convex
portions were formed on the disk holding face 547 because of a
distortion at the time of molding, and that when the disk 501 was
held on the turntable 582, the disk 501 was held by using only the
three portions, instead of the entire face of the clamp area 511 of
the disk 501.
[0561] FIG. 51 is a sectional view schematically showing the degree
of freedom of the disk 501 in the upward/downward direction in the
case when the disk 501 can be held securely between the clamper 581
and the turntable 582, and in the case when it cannot be held
securely.
[0562] In (a) of FIG. 51, the clamp area 511 of the disk 501 is not
held with the disk holding face 547 of the clamper 581; therefore,
the disk 501 is in a condition wherein it is deformable in the
upward direction in the range from the outermost periphery of the
disk 501 to the position wherein the disk 501 makes contact with
the boss 522.
[0563] In (b) of FIG. 51, the clamp area 511 of the disk 501 is
held with the disk holding face 547 of the clamper 581; therefore,
the disk 501 is in a condition wherein it is deformable in the
upward direction in the range from the outermost periphery of the
disk 501 to the position of the outermost periphery of the disk
holding face 547.
[0564] When these two conditions are compared, the disk 501 shown
in (a) of FIG. 51 has a wider deformable range than the disk 501
shown in (b) of FIG. 51, whereby the amplitude amount of the disk
501 is larger in the upward/downward direction.
[0565] When consideration is taken just as in the case of the
above-mentioned clamper 581, it can be imagined that the flatness
of the face of the turntable 582 supporting the disk 501 is also a
major factor governing the vibration of the disk 501.
[0566] A condition similar to the unevenness that occurs because of
the distortion of the clamper 581 at the time of molding also
occurs even when litter or dust gets into the space between the
clamper 581 and the disk 501. In the case when, after the disk 501
is mounted on the turntable 582, foreign substances, such as hair
and the like, drop by chance on the disk 501, the clamper 581 is
placed over it to hold the disk 501, and the disk 501 is rotated at
high speed, the disk 501 vibrates vigorously, just as in the case
when the disk 501 is held with the clamper 581 having unevenness.
This is a problem that occurs not only in the space between the
clamper 581 and the disk 501 but also in the space between the
turntable 582 and the disk 501 in the case when foreign substances,
such litter, dust and the like, get into the space.
[0567] In view of the above-mentioned findings and considerations
related thereto, the 14th embodiment and 15th to 19th embodiments
described later in accordance with the present invention each
provide a disk drive apparatus capable of carrying out stable
recording/reproduction by reducing vibration occurring from the
disk in the case of high speed rotation of the disk, capable of
reducing vibration and noise discharged to the outside of the disk
drive apparatus while maintaining high data transfer rate, and
capable of extending the service lives of the bearings of the
spindle motor.
14th Embodiment
[0568] A disk drive apparatus in accordance with a 14th embodiment
of the present invention will be described below referring to the
accompanying drawings FIGS. 52 to 58.
[0569] FIG. 52 is a perspective view showing a condition wherein a
disk 501 is mounted on the disk drive apparatus of the 14
embodiment of the present invention, and held with a clamper 541.
FIG. 53 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of a spindle
motor 502 in the disk drive apparatus of the 14th embodiment. FIGS.
54 are a side sectional view (a) and a reverse-side view (b)
showing the clamper 541 of the disk drive apparatus of the 14th
embodiment. As shown in (b) of FIG. 54, plural clamper projections
551 are disposed on the reverse-side face of the clamper 541.
[0570] Referring to FIG. 52, the disk 501 is mounted on a turntable
521 and secured with a clamper 541, and then rotated by a spindle
motor 502. A head 503 reads data recorded on the disk 501 or writes
data on the disk 501. A traverse mechanism 505, comprising a rack
506, a pinion 507 and the like, converts the rotation motion of a
traverse motor 504 into a linear motion, and transmits it to the
head 503. The head 503 is moved in the radial direction of the disk
501 by this traverse mechanism 505. The spindle motor 502, the
traverse motor 504 and the traverse mechanism 505 are mounted on a
sub-base 508. Vibration and impact transmitted from outside the
device to the sub-base 508 are dampened by insulators 509 (elastic
bodies), and the sub-base 508 is mounted on a main base 510 via
these insulators 508.
[0571] The disk drive apparatus of the 14th embodiment is
configured so as to be built in a computer or the like via a frame
(not shown) installed on the main base 510.
[0572] FIG. 53 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the
spindle motor 502 of the disk drive apparatus of the 14th
embodiment. The spindle motor 502 has a rotor 525 integrally
secured to the spindle shaft 528 and a rotor magnet 526 disposed
inside the rotor 525, and a coil 527 is provided so as to be
opposed to the rotor magnet 526. The spindle shaft 528 is rotatably
supported by radial bearings 529 and a thrust bearing 530. The
stationary portion of the spindle motor 502 is secured to the
sub-base 508.
[0573] The turntable 521 made of metal is secured to the spindle
motor shaft 528 and rotatably supports the clamp area 511 of the
disk 501. On the turntable 521, a boss 522 to be fitted into the
clamp hole 512 of the disk 501 is formed integrally. By fitting the
clamp hole 512 of the disk 501 on the boss 522, the disk 501 is
aligned.
[0574] In the face (the upper face in FIG. 53) of the boss 522
opposite to the clamper 541, a positioning hole 523 is formed. In
addition, a ring-shaped, opposed yoke 524 is embedded and secured
onto the upper face of the boss 522.
[0575] As shown in FIG. 53, the clamper 541 made of resin has a
disk holder 542 opposed to the upper face of the mounted disk 501
and a magnet holder 543. A flat face is formed on the reverse-side
face of the disk holder 542. A center projection 546, which is
fitted into the positioning hole 523 provided in the boss 522 of
the turntable 521 so that the turntable 521 and the clamper 541
have the same center position, is secured to the magnet holder 543.
In addition, a magnet 544 and a back yoke 545 are secured inside
the magnet holder 543.
[0576] In the disk drive apparatus of the 14 embodiment configured
as describe above, in a condition wherein the disk 501 is held
between the clamper 541 and the turntable 521, the clamp hole 512
fits on the boss 522, whereby the disk 501 is mounted on the
turntable 521. In addition, at this time, the disk 501 is held by
the magnetic attraction acting between the magnet 544 accommodated
in the clamper 541 and the opposed yoke 524 secured to the
turntable 521. The disk 501 held in this way is rotated integrally
with the turntable 521 and the clamper 541 by the rotation
operation of the spindle motor 502.
[0577] In the disk drive apparatus of the 14th embodiment, as shown
in FIGS. 54(a) and (b), four cylindrical clamper projections 551
are formed on the reverse-side face of the disk holder 542
constituting the reverse-side face of the clamper 541. The clamper
projections 551 are disposed on a circle around the center axis of
the center projection 546 of the magnet holder 543, and provided at
positions wherein the clamper projections 551 can securely hold the
clamp area 511 of the disk 501. In the 14th embodiment, the clamper
projections 551 are formed at positions 15 mm away from the
rotation center. Furthermore, as shown in (b) of FIG. 54, the four
clamper projections 551 are provided at positions wherein the
circumference is divided into four equal portions, that is,
positions wherein the circumference is divided at intervals of 90
degrees. The difference (flatness) in height (h1) among the clamper
projections 551 is within 40 .mu.m. In the case when the difference
(flatness) in height between the bumps and dips on the disk
mounting face of the turntable 521 is sufficiently smaller than 40
.mu.m (the flatness in the clamper projections 551), the disk 501
is securely held between the four clamper projections 551 and the
turntable 521.
[0578] In the case when the disk 501 is held between the four
clamper projections 551 and the turntable 521 as described above,
the vibration of the disk 501 in the "six-division mode" shown in
the above-mentioned FIG. 47 is reduced to a nearly undetectable
condition. If the disk 501 is held between the turntable 521 and
three clamper projections at three positions divided at intervals
of 120 degrees, the deformable range at the clamp area 511 of the
disk 501 is extended, and the vibration in the "six-division mode"
is apt to occur abruptly.
[0579] In the case when the clamper 541 is processed so as to
comply with mass-production, injection-molded products made of
resin are used usually. In this case, when the radius of the clamp
area 511 of the disk 501 is about 15 mm from its center, the
flatness of the disk holding face 547 of the clamper 541 becomes
about 100 .mu.m. Since the disk holding face 547 of the clamper 541
virtually appears to be smooth, it is misunderstood that the disk
501 has been held between the turntable 521 and the clamper 541
having a completely flat plane. However, in the case of the clamper
541 distorted at the time of molding, unevenness is caused on the
disk holding face 547, and the disk 501 is inevitably held at the
three portions as described in the prior art. The condition wherein
the three portions are not disposed at uniformly divided intervals
of 120 degrees as shown in FIG. 50 is undesirable. Because, if even
one secured section extending 120 degrees or more is present
between the disk 501 and the turntable 521, the vibration in the
"six-division mode" shown in FIG. 47 occurs partially on the disk
501, and vibration and noise of the disk drive apparatus become
significant.
[0580] Furthermore, if the three portions for holding the disk 501
as described above are disposed extremely unequally, and if one
section is not secured between the disk 501 and the turntable 531
at an interval of 180 degrees or more, the vibration in the
four-division mode shown in FIG. 46 occurs partially.
[0581] FIGS. 55 are a side sectional view (a) and a reverse-side
view (b) showing another concrete example of the clamper 541 of the
disk drive apparatus of the 14th embodiment.
[0582] In FIG. 55, six cylindrical clamper projections 551 are
formed on a disk holder 542 constituting the reverse-side face of
the clamper 541. The clamper projections 551 are formed at
positions on a circle around the center axis of the center
projection 546 of the magnet holder 543, and at positions wherein
the clamper projections 551 can securely hold the clamp area 511 of
the disk 501. Furthermore, as shown in (b) of FIG. 55, the six
clamper projections 551 are provided at positions wherein the same
circumference is divided into six equal portions, that is,
positions wherein the circumference is divided at intervals of 60
degrees.
[0583] The difference (flatness) in height (h1) among the clamper
projections 551 is within 40 .mu.m. In the case when the difference
(flatness) in height between the bumps and dips on the disk
mounting face of the turntable 521 is sufficiently smaller than the
flatness in the clamper projections 551, the disk 501 is securely
fixed with the six clamper projections 551 on the turntable
521.
[0584] By fixing the disk 501 on the turntable 521 with the clamper
projections 551 disposed at the six positions as described above,
the vibration of the disk 501 can be made lower than that in the
case when the clamper projections 551 are disposed at four
positions.
[0585] In the case when the number of the clamper projections 551
is four, the disk 501 is held at four positions at intervals of 90
degrees; therefore, one deformable section of the disk 501 has 90
degrees. Therefore, the vibration of the disk 501 in the
"eight-division mode" is apt to occur abruptly. However, in the
case when the number of the clamper projections 551 is six, one
deformable section of the clamp area 511 of the disk 501 has 60
degrees. Therefore, the vibration of the disk 501 in the
"eight-division mode" is reduced to a nearly undetectable
condition.
[0586] FIGS. 56(a) and (b) are a side sectional view and a
reverse-side view showing still another concrete example of the
clamper 541 of the disk drive apparatus of the 14th embodiment.
[0587] In FIG. 56, nine cylindrical clamper projections 551 are
formed on a disk holder 542 constituting the reverse-side face of
the clamper 541. The clamper projections 551 are formed at
positions on a circle around the center axis of the center
projection 546 of the magnet holder 543. These positions are
positions wherein the clamper projections 551 can securely hold the
clamp area 511 of the disk 501. Furthermore, as shown in (b) of
FIG. 56, the nine clamper projections 551 are provided at positions
wherein the same circumference is divided into nine equal portions,
that is, positions wherein the circumference is divided at
intervals of 40 degrees.
[0588] The difference (flatness) in height (h1) among the clamper
projections 551 is within 40 .mu.m. In the case when the difference
in height between the bumps and dips on the disk mounting face of
the turntable 521 is sufficiently smaller than the flatness in the
clamper projections 551, the disk 501 is securely held between the
nine clamper projections 551 and the turntable 521.
[0589] By fixing the disk 501 on the turntable 521 with the nine
clamper projections 551, the vibration of the disk 501 can be made
further lower than that in the case when the six clamper
projections 551 are used. This is because the vibration of the disk
501 in higher vibration modes can be reduced.
[0590] Furthermore, in the case when even one of the clamper
projections 551 is lost because of improper molding of the disk
holder 542, when the number of the clamper projections 551 is six
for example, the deformable range section in the clamp area 511 of
the disk 501 extends from 60 degrees to 120 degrees. In this case,
the vibration of the disk 501 in the "six-division mode" occurs as
described above. However, when the number of the clamper
projections 551 is nine, even when one of the clamper projections
551 is lost because of improper molding of the disk holder 542, the
deformable range section in the clamp area 511 of the disk 501 has
only 80 degrees. Therefore, just as in the case when the number of
the clamper projections 551 is six, the vibration of the disk 501
in the "eight-division mode" is reduced to a nearly undetectable
condition.
[0591] In the conventional disk drive apparatus, in the case when
the disk holding face of the clamper has no clamper projections,
when the disk 501 is mounted on the turntable, the disk 501 is
fixed in some cases in a condition wherein foreign substances, such
as minute litter, dust and the like, attached to the clamp area 511
are caught between the disk 501 and the clamper and the clamper is
actually tilted. In such a case, in the clamp area 511 of the disk
501, the deformable range section not held between the clamper and
the turntable becomes wider, the disk 501 has a higher possibility
of vibrating in the "four-division mode," "six-division mode" and
"eight-division mode."
[0592] However, in the disk drive apparatus of the 14th embodiment
of the present invention, when the diameter of the clamper
projections 551 is about 1 to 2 mm, the disk 501 can be fixed
sufficiently; therefore, minute litter, dust and the like attached
to the clamp area 511 are less likely to overlap with the positions
at which the clamper projections 551 hold the disk 501, thereby
being less likely to be affected by litter, dust and the like.
[0593] Even if litter attaches by chance to the tips of the clamper
projections 551, since the surface areas of the tips of the clamper
projections 551 are small, when litter attaches to the disk 501 and
the disk 501 is removed, the litter is highly likely to be
discharged together with the disk 501, whereby the disk drive
apparatus of the 14th embodiment has a passive self-cleaning
function.
[0594] Furthermore, since the clamper projections 551 each have a
constant height (100 .mu.m for example), this is effective in
preventing the holding of the disk from becoming unstable due to
foreign substances, such as litter and the like, which have
attached to the reverse-side face of the disk holder 542 and the
surface of the clamp area 511 of the disk 501 making contact
therewith and are not larger than the height (h1) of the clamper
projections 551.
[0595] FIG. 57 is a view showing the shapes of the clamper
projections 551 in the disk drive apparatus of the 14th embodiment.
(a) of FIG. 57 is a side sectional view showing the shape of a
cylindrical clamper projection 551. To enhance the above-mentioned
effect further, by thinning the tips of the clamper projections 551
as shown in FIGS. 57(b), (c) and (d), the surface areas of the tips
of the clamper projections 551 are reduced, and the probability of
attaching of litter is reduced further.
[0596] FIG. 58 is a reverse-side view showing yet still another
concrete example of the clamper 541 in the disk drive apparatus of
the 14th embodiment.
[0597] The plural clamper projections 551 shown in FIG. 58 are not
disposed at equal intervals of a central angle; for example, in the
clamper 541 shown in (a) of FIG. 58, six clamper projections 551
are disposed nonuniformly. If the maximum angle .theta.1' between
the adjacent projections 551 is 90 degrees or less as shown in (a)
of FIG. 58, the vibration of the disk 501 in the "eight-division
mode" does not occur.
[0598] In the clamper 541 shown in (b) of FIG. 58, nine clamper
projections 551 are disposed at intervals of nonuniform center
angles. If the maximum angle .theta.2' between the adjacent clamper
projections 551 is 120 degrees or more, the vibration of the disk
501 in the "six-division mode" occurs. Although it is not necessary
at all to nonuniformly provide the clamper projections 551, when
the pin gates for injection molding interfere with the positions of
the clamper projections 551 in the case of molding the clamper 541
by injection molding, it is desired that the positions of the
clamper projections 551 should be dislocated to optimum positions
in accordance with the above-mentioned way of thinking. As a
result, it is possible to obtain an effect similar to that obtained
in the case when the clamper projections 551 are disposed
uniformly.
[0599] In the disk drive apparatus of the 14th embodiment, the
clamper projections 551 are disposed on a circumference; however,
if the clamper projections 551 can be disposed so that they can
securely hold the clamp area 511 of the disk 501, the effect of
reducing the vibration of the disk 501 has no significant
difference, even if the radii from the center projection 546
secured to the center of the magnet holder 543 have slightly
different values.
[0600] In the disk drive apparatus of the 14th embodiment, if the
difference (flatness) in height (h1) among the clamper projections
551 are within 40 .mu.m, the clamper projections 551 can securely
hold the clamp area 511 of the disk 501. If the flatness of the
clamper projections 551 can be set desirably within 20 .mu.m, the
disk 501 can be held more securely between the clamper 541 and the
turntable 521, whereby the vibration in the case when the disk 501
is rotated at high speed can be reduced further.
[0601] In the conventional disk drive apparatus, the disk holding
face 547 of the clamper is formed to have a flat face. Therefore,
even if an attempt is made to correct its metal mold so that the
difference (flatness) between the bumps and dips on the disk
holding face 547 is within 40 .mu.m, the flatness is obtained by
not removing the bumps but by grinding the other portions so that
they are aligned with the heights of the bumps. This results in
grinding the entire face of the disk holding face 547 again; when
the movement of the edge of the tool used for the grinding is taken
into consideration, it is very difficult to obtain the flatness
within 40 .mu.m by grinding the metal mold. In addition, when the
changes in molding conditions, thermal expansion after molding and
the like are taken into consideration, it is impossible in reality
to carry out molding at the flatness of the disk holding face 547
of the clamper within 40 .mu.m by using only the metal mold.
[0602] On the other hand, in the disk drive apparatus of the 14th
embodiment, it is very easy to obtain the difference (flatness) in
height (h1) among the clamper projections 551 within 40 .mu.m, even
if the quantity thereof is relatively large. The heights (h1) of
the clamper projections 551 are measured, and three clamper
projections 551 are selected in the decreasing order of the heights
(h1) of the clamper projections 551. Then, the metal mold should
only be modified so that the heights (h1) of the remaining clamper
projections 551 are aligned with the plane formed by the three
clamper projections 551. The range of deformation due to the
changes in molding conditions and thermal expansion after molding,
a problem to be solved in the case of the flat face, can be
approximately estimated. Therefore, it is also possible to dispose
the clamper projections 551 at positions wherein they are less
affected except for the range of their deformations.
[0603] In the disk drive apparatus of the 14th embodiment, the
cases wherein the numbers of the clamper projections 551 are 4, 6
and 9 have been described in succession. However, in the disk drive
apparatus of the present invention, the numbers of the clamper
projections 551 are not limited to 4, 6 and 9; even if the number
may be 5, 7, 8, 10 or more, the effect of reducing the vibration of
the disk 501 can be obtained without problems. In holding the disk
501 between the turntable 521 and the clamper 541, the deformable
range of the disk 501 can be limited as the number of the clamper
projections 551 is larger, whereby the effect of reducing the
vibration of the disk 501 is high. However, in the control of the
processing accuracy of the metal mold for obtaining the flatness,
it is regarded that the optimum number of the clamper projections
551 is determined automatically depending on the number and cost of
the disk drive apparatuses planned to be produced.
[0604] In the disk drive apparatus of the 14th embodiment, the
embodiment has been described such that the shape of the clamper
projections 551 is cylindrical, or such that the horizontal
sectional shape thereof, made thinner at the tip, is circular.
However, in the disk drive apparatus of the present invention, the
horizontal sectional shape of the clamper projections 551 is not
required to be circular; it is possible to set any desired
sectional shapes, such as a triangular shape, a square shape, an
elliptic shape and the like. However, when metal mold processing is
taken into consideration, the cylindrical shape is the simplest and
convenient when changing the height (h1) of the clamper projections
551.
[0605] In the disk drive apparatus of the 14th embodiment, the
height (h1) of the clamper projections 551 can be determined as
desired. However, the height (h1) of the clamper projections 551
should preferably be set at about {fraction (1/10)} to {fraction
(1/20)} of the thickness thereof in order to have a shape not
affected by distortion at the time of injection molding of resin.
For example, when the diameter of the clamper projections 551 is 2
mm, the height becomes 100 .mu.m at {fraction (1/20)}; and when the
diameter of the clamper projection 551 is 1 mm, the height becomes
100 .mu.m at {fraction (1/10)}. With this kind of height, the
clamper projections 551 can sufficiently prevent trouble caused at
the time when foreign substances having a thickness of hair are
caught.
[0606] The disk drive apparatus of the 14th embodiment is
configured so that the magnet 544 and the back yoke 545 are
accommodated in the clamper 541, and so that the opposed yoke 524
is embedded in the boss 522 of the turntable 521. However, in the
disk drive apparatus of the present invention, even if the magnet
544 and the back yoke 545 are accommodated in the boss 522 of the
turntable 521, and even if the opposed yoke 524 is accommodated in
the clamper 541, the effect of reducing the vibration in the case
when the disk 501 is rotated at high speed remains unchanged.
[0607] As described above, in accordance with the configuration of
the disk drive apparatus of the 14th embodiment, by disposing four
or more clamper projections 551 on the disk holding face of the
clamper 541, the vibration of the disk 501 can be reduced securely.
Therefore, in the disk drive apparatus of the 14th embodiment, the
vibration of the disk 501 can be reduced, even when the disk 501 is
mounted on the turntable 521 having a face deflection and rotated
at high speed, and even when the disk 501 having a face deflection
and thereby unbalanced significantly is rotated at high speed.
[0608] Therefore, stable recording/reproduction can be attained
without reducing data transfer rate. In addition, in accordance the
disk drive apparatus of the 14th embodiment, vibration and noise to
the outside of the disk drive apparatus can be reduced;
furthermore, it is possible to attain a disk drive apparatus in
which the spindle motor 502 thereof has a long service life.
15th Embodiment
[0609] Next, a disk drive apparatus in accordance with a 15th
embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to
the accompanying drawing FIG. 59.
[0610] FIGS. 59 are a side sectional view (a) showing the vicinity
of the clamper 541 of the disk drive apparatus of the 15th
embodiment of the present invention and a reverse-side view of the
clamper 541. In the reverse-side view of the clamper 541 in (b) of
FIG. 59, the positions of turntable projections 552 formed on a
turntable 212 are shown by diagonally shaded areas. In the 15th
embodiment, the elements having functions substantially identical
to those of the elements of the disk drive apparatus of the 14th
embodiment shown in the above-mentioned FIGS. 52 to 58 are
represented by the same numeral codes, and the descriptions for the
preceding embodiment are applied, thereby omitting overlap
descriptions.
[0611] As shown in (a) of FIG. 59, the turntable 212 on which a
disk 501 is mounted is secured to a spindle motor shaft 528 and
rotatably supports the clamp area 511 of the disk 501. On the
turntable 212, a boss 522 to be fitted into the clamp hole 512 of
the disk 501 is formed integrally. By fitting the disk 501 on the
boss 522, the disk 501 is positioned. In addition, at the center of
the face of the boss 522, opposite to the clamper 541, a
positioning hole 523 is formed, and a ring-shaped, opposed yoke 524
is embedded and secured to the boss 522.
[0612] As shown in (a) of FIG. 59, the clamper 541 made of resin
has a disk holder 542 opposed to the upper face of the mounted disk
501 and a magnet holder 543. A flat face is formed on the
reverse-side face of the disk holder 542. A center projection 546,
which is fitted into the positioning hole 523 provided in the boss
522 of the turntable 212 so that the turntable 212 and the clamper
541 have the same center position (coaxial), is secured to the
magnet holder 543. In addition, a magnet 544 and a back yoke 545
are secured inside the magnet holder 543.
[0613] In the disk drive apparatus of the 15 embodiment configured
as describe above, in a condition wherein the disk 501 is held
between the clamper 541 and the turntable 212, the clamp hole 512
of the disk 501 fits on the boss 522 of the turntable 212, whereby
the disk 501 is mounted on the turntable 212. At this time, the
disk 501 is held by the magnetic attraction acting between the
magnet 544 accommodated in the clamper 541 and the opposed yoke 524
secured to the boss 522.
[0614] The disk 501 held in this way is rotated integrally with the
turntable 212 and the clamper 541 by the rotation operation of the
spindle motor 502.
[0615] In the disk drive apparatus of the 15th embodiment, as shown
in (b) of FIG. 59, four cylindrical clamper projections 551 are
formed on the disk holder 542 constituting the reverse-side face of
the clamper 541 made of resin. The clamper projections 551 are
disposed on a circle around the center axis of the center
projection 546 of the magnet holder 543, and formed at positions
wherein the clamper projections 551 can securely hold the clamp
area 511 of the disk 501. Furthermore, as shown in (b) of FIG. 59,
the four clamper projections 551 are provided at positions wherein
the same circumference is divided into four equal portions, that
is, positions wherein the circumference is divided at intervals of
90 degrees. The difference (flatness) in height (h1) among the
clamper projections 551 is within 40 .mu.m.
[0616] As shown in (a) of FIG. 59, in the disk drive apparatus of
the 15th embodiment, the cylindrical turntable projections 552 are
formed on the upper face of the turntable 212 made of resin. In (b)
of FIG. 59, the positions of the turntable projections 552 formed
on the turntable 212 on the reverse-side face of the clamper 541
are shown by diagonally shaded areas. In other words, four
turntable projections 552 are formed on the turntable 212 on a
circle around the positioning hole 523 of the spindle motor 502.
The positions wherein the turntable projections 552 are formed are
positions wherein the turntable projections 552 can securely hold
the clamp area 511 of the disk 501. As shown in (b) of FIG. 59, the
four turntable projections. 552 are provided at positions wherein
the same circumference is divided into four equal portions, that
is, positions wherein the circumference is divided at intervals of
90 degrees. The difference (flatness) in height (h2) among the
turntable projections 552 is within 40 .mu.m.
[0617] In the 15th embodiment, if the difference (flatness) in
height (h1) among the clamper projections 551 is within 40 .mu.m,
and if the difference (flatness) in height (h2) among the turntable
projections 552 is within 40 .mu.m, the disk 501 is securely held
between the clamper 541 and the turntable 212 at totally eight
positions on the upper and lower faces thereof.
[0618] In the disk drive apparatus of the 15th embodiment, when the
disk 501 is mounted on the turntable 212, the disk 501 is raised
toward the clamper 541 together with a sub-base 508 to which the
spindle motor 502 is secured. As a result, the disk 501 is held
between the clamper 541 and the turntable 212. At this time, with
respect to the positioning among the clamper 541, the disk 501 and
the turntable 212, there is no restriction regarding the positions
in the rotation direction, except that the centers of these are
aligned with the center of the spindle motor shaft 528, whereby
they are positioned at any given positions. Even in this kind of
case, the clamper 541 prevents the deformation of the disk 501 in
the upward direction in the "six-division mode" of the disk 501.
Furthermore, the turntable 212 prevents the deformation of the disk
1 in the downward direction in the "six-division mode" of the disk
501.
[0619] Therefore, in the disk drive apparatus of the 15th
embodiment, the deformation of the disk 501 in the upward and
downward directions in the "six-division mode" of the disk 501 is
prevented, whereby in the case when the disk 501 is rotated at high
speed, the vibration of the disk 501 in the "six-division mode" can
be reduced to a nearly undetectable condition.
[0620] Furthermore, in the case when the disk drive apparatus of
the 15th embodiment is a disk drive apparatus in which the clamper
541 can be secured manually to the turntable 212 to hold the disk
501, the vibration in the case when the disk 501 is rotated at high
speed can be reduced further by aligning the rotational positions
of the clamper projections 551 with those of the turntable
projection 552, by accurately disposing the clamper projections 551
on the turntable projection 552, and by securing the clamper 541 to
the turntable 521.
[0621] In the disk drive apparatus of the 15th embodiment, if the
difference (flatness) in height (h1) among the clamper projections
551 is within 40 .mu.m, the clamp area 511 of the disk 501 can be
held securely with four or more clamper projections 551. Desirably,
if the flatness at the clamper projections 551 can be made within
20 .mu.m, more secure holding can be attained between the clamper
and the turntable 212, whereby the vibration in the case when the
disk 501 is rotated at high speed can be reduced further.
[0622] In the disk drive apparatus of the 15th embodiment, it has
been described that if the difference (flatness) in height (h2)
among the turntable projections 552 is within 40 .mu.m, the
turntable projections 552 can securely hold the clamp area 511 of
the disk 501. However, desirably, if the flatness at the turntable
projections 552 can be made within 20 .mu.m, more secure holding
can be attained between the clamper 541 and the turntable, whereby
the vibration in the case when the disk 501 is rotated at high
speed can be reduced further.
[0623] In the disk drive apparatus of the 15th embodiment of the
present invention, when the diameters of the clamper projections
551 and the turntable projections 552 are about 1 to 2 mm, the disk
501 can be fixed sufficiently; therefore, the positions wherein
foreign substances, such as minute litter, dust and the like,
attach to the clamp area 511 are less likely to overlap with the
positions at which the clamper projections 551 and the turntable
projections 552 hold the disk 501, thereby being configured so as
to be less likely to be affected by litter, dust and the like. Even
if litter attaches by chance to the tips of the clamper projections
551 or the turntable projections 552, since the surface areas of
these tips are small, in the case when litter attaches to the disk
501 and the disk 501 is removed, the litter is discharged together
with the disk 501, thereby having a passive self-cleaning
function.
[0624] To enhance the above-mentioned effect further, by thinning
the tips of the clamper projections 551 and the turntable
projections 552 as shown in the above-mentioned FIGS. 57(b), (c)
and (d), the surface areas of the tips of the clamper projections
551 and the turntable projections 552 are reduced, and the
probability of attaching of litter is reduced further.
[0625] In the disk drive apparatus of the 15th embodiment, the
embodiment has been described such that the shapes of the clamper
projections 551 and the turntable projections 552 are cylindrical,
or such that the horizontal sectional shapes thereof, made thinner
at the tips, are circular. However, in the present invention, the
horizontal sectional shapes of the clamper projections 551 and the
turntable projections 552 are not required to be circular; it is
possible to set any desired sectional shapes, such as a triangular
shape, a square shape, an elliptic shape and the like.
[0626] However, when metal mold processing is taken into
consideration, the cylindrical shape is the simplest and convenient
when changing the height of the clamper projections 551 and the
height (h2) of the turntable projections 552.
[0627] In the disk drive apparatus of the 15th embodiment, it has
been described that the number of the clamper projections 551 and
the number of the turntable projections 552 are four respectively.
However, in the present invention, just as in the case of the disk
drive apparatus of the-above-mentioned 14th embodiment, the
vibration in the case when the disk 501 is rotated at high speed
can be reduced further as the number is increased to 6, 9 or
more.
[0628] In addition, in the disk drive apparatus of the 15th
embodiment, it has been described that the number of the clamper
projections 551 and the number of the turntable projections 552 are
the same, that is, four, respectively. However, the number of the
clamper projections 551 is not required to be the same as the
number of the turntable projections 552; even if the numbers are
independent of each other, it is possible to obtain an effect of
reducing the vibration in the case when the disk 501 is rotated at
high speed.
[0629] In the disk drive apparatus of the 15th embodiment, it has
been described that the turntable 212 is made of resin; however, a
similar effect can be obtained even if turntable projections made
of resin are integrally formed on a turntable made of metal (by
outsert molding for example).
[0630] The disk drive apparatus of the 15th embodiment is
configured so that the magnet 544 and the back yoke 545 are
accommodated in the clamper 541, and so that the opposed yoke 524
is accommodated in the boss 522 of the turntable 212. However, even
if the magnet 544 and the back yoke 545 are accommodated in the
boss 522 of the turntable 212, and even if the opposed yoke 524 is
accommodated in the clamper 541, the effect of reducing the
vibration in the case when the disk 501 is rotated at high speed
remains unchanged.
[0631] Furthermore, since the turntable projections 552 each have a
constant height (100 .mu.m for example), this is effective in
preventing the holding of the disk from becoming unstable due to
foreign substances, such as litter and the like, which have
attached to the disk mounting face of the turntable 212 and the
surface of the clamp area 511 of the disk 501 making contact
therewith and are not larger than the height (h2) of the turntable
projections 552.
[0632] As described above, in accordance with the configuration of
the disk drive apparatus of the 15th embodiment, by disposing four
or more clamper projections 551 on the disk holding face of the
clamper 541, and by disposing four or more turntable projections
552 on the disk mounting face of the turntable 212, the vibration
of the disk 501 can be reduced securely. Therefore, in the disk
drive apparatus of the 15th embodiment, the vibration of the disk
501 can be reduced, even when the disk 501 is mounted on the
turntable 212 having a face deflection and rotated at high speed,
or even when the disk 501 having a face deflection and thereby
unbalanced significantly is rotated at high speed.
[0633] As a result, in the disk drive apparatus of the 15th
embodiment, stable recording/reproduction can be attained without
reducing data transfer rate. In addition, in accordance the 15th
embodiment, vibration and noise discharged to the outside of the
disk drive apparatus can be reduced, and it is possible to attain a
disk drive apparatus in which the spindle motor 502 thereof has a
long service life.
16th Embodiment
[0634] Next, a disk drive apparatus in accordance with a 16th
embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to
the accompanying drawings FIG. 60 and 61.
[0635] FIGS. 60 are a side sectional view (a) showing the vicinity
of the clamper 413 of the disk drive apparatus of the 16th
embodiment of the present invention and a reverse-side view (b) of
the clamper 413.
[0636] In the reverse-side view of the clamper 413 in (b) of FIG.
60, the positions of turntable projections 552 formed on a
turntable 213 are shown by diagonally shaded areas, and the clamper
projections 551 and the turntable projections 552 are formed at the
same positions in the direction parallel with the spindle motor
shaft. FIG. 61 is a perspective view showing a positioning
mechanism in the disk drive apparatus of the 16th embodiment. In
FIGS. 61, (a) is a perspective view showing the clamper 413 with
its reverse-side face turned upward, and (b) is a perspective view
showing the turntable 213.
[0637] In the 16th embodiment, the elements having functions
substantially identical to those of the elements of the disk drive
apparatuses of the 14th and 15th embodiments shown in the
above-mentioned FIGS. 52 to 59 are represented by the same numeral
codes, and the descriptions for the preceding embodiments are
applied, thereby omitting overlap descriptions.
[0638] As shown in (a) of FIG. 60, the turntable 213 on which a
disk 501 is mounted is secured to a spindle motor shaft 528 and
rotatably supports the clamp area 511 of the disk 501. On the
turntable 213, a boss 522 to be fitted into the clamp hole 512 of
the disk 501 is formed integrally. By fitting the disk 501 on the
boss 522, the disk 501 is positioned. In addition, at the center of
the face of the boss 522, opposite to the clamper 413, a
positioning hole 523 is formed, and a ring-shaped, opposed yoke 524
is embedded and secured to the boss 522.
[0639] As shown in (a) of FIG. 60, the clamper 413 made of resin
has a disk holder 542 opposed to the upper face of the mounted disk
501 and a magnet holder 543. A flat face is formed on the
reverse-side face of the disk holder 542. A center projection 546,
which is fitted into the positioning hole 523 provided in the boss
522 of the turntable 213 so that the turntable 213 and the clamper
541 are made coaxial, is secured to the magnet holder 543. In
addition, a magnet 544 and a back yoke 545 are secured inside the
magnet holder 543.
[0640] In the disk drive apparatus of the 16 embodiment configured
as describe above, in a condition wherein the disk 501 is held
between the clamper 413 and the turntable 213, the clamp hole 512
of the disk 501 fits on the boss 522, whereby the disk 501 is
mounted on the turntable 213. At this time, the disk 501 is held by
the magnetic attraction acting between the magnet 544 accommodated
in the clamper 413 and the opposed yoke 524 secured to the boss
522. The disk 501 held in this way is rotated integrally with the
turntable 213 and the clamper 413 by the rotation operation of the
spindle motor 502.
[0641] In the view of the reverse-side face of the clamper 413 in
(b) of FIG. 60, the positions of the turntable projections 552
formed on the turntable 213 are shown together with those of the
clamper projections 551.
[0642] As shown in (b) of FIG. 60, In the disk drive apparatus of
the 16th embodiment, four cylindrical clamper projections 551 are
formed on the reverse-side face of the disk holder 542 constituting
the reverse-side face of the clamper 413 made of resin. The
positions wherein the clamper projections 551 are formed are on a
circle around the center axis of the center projection 546 of the
magnet holder 543, and these are positions wherein the clamper
projections 551 can securely hold the clamp area 511 of the disk
501. Furthermore, the clamper projections 551 are disposed at
positions wherein the circumference of the circle is divided into
four equal portions, that is, positions wherein the circumference
is divided at intervals of 90 degrees. The difference (flatness) in
height (h1) among the clamper projections 551 is within 40
.mu.m.
[0643] As shown in (a) of FIG. 60, in the disk drive apparatus of
the 16th embodiment, the four cylindrical turntable projections 552
are formed on the disk mounting face of the turntable 213 made of
resin. The positions wherein the turntable projections 552 are
formed are on a circle around the positioning hole 523 of the
spindle motor 502, and positions wherein the turntable projections
552 can securely hold the clamp area 511 of the disk 501.
Furthermore, the turntable projections 552 are disposed at
positions wherein the circumference of the circle is divided into
four equal portions, that is, positions wherein the circumference
is divided at intervals of 90 degrees. The difference (flatness) in
height (h2) among the turntable projections 552 is within 40
.mu.m.
[0644] If the difference in height (h1) among the clamper
projections 551 is within 40 .mu.m, and if the difference in height
(h2) among the turntable projections 552 is within 40 .mu.m as
described above, the disk 501 is securely held between the clamper
413 and the turntable 213 at totally eight positions on the upper
and lower faces thereof.
[0645] In the disk drive apparatus of the 16th embodiment, when the
disk 501 is mounted on the turntable 213, the disk 501 is raised
toward the clamper 413 together with a sub-base 508 to which the
spindle motor 502 is secured. As a result, the disk 501 is held
between the clamper 413 and the turntable 213.
[0646] As shown in (b) of FIG. 61, in the disk drive apparatus of
the 16th embodiment, engagement portions 522a having steps as many
as the turntable projections 552 at angles corresponding to the
rotational positions of the turntable projections 552 are formed On
the upper face of the boss 522.
[0647] On the other hand, as shown in (a) of FIG. 61, engagement
portions 542a having steps at positions corresponding to the
engagement portions 522a of the boss 522 are formed on the disk
holder 542 of the clamper 413. The clamper projections 551 as many
as the turntable projections 552 are provided at angles
corresponding to the rotational positions of the engagement
portions 542a of the disk holder 542. In the clamper 413 of (a) of
FIG. 61, the reverse-side face of the clamper 413 is turned upward
for convenience of explanation.
[0648] The steps of the engagement portions 522a of the boss 522
engage and the steps of the engagement portions 542a of the clamper
413, formed as described above, engage each other when holding the
disk 501, whereby the clamper projections 551 and the turntable
projections 552 are always disposed at the same angles and on the
same circle in the rotation direction. Therefore, the clamper
projections 551 and the turntable projections 552 always securely
hold the upper and lower faces of the disk 501 at the same
positions. As a result, in the disk drive apparatus of the 16th
embodiment, in the case when the disk 501 is rotated at high speed,
the vibration of the disk 501 in the "six-division mode" can be
reduced further than that in the case when the clamper projections
551 are dislocated from the turntable projections 552.
[0649] In the disk drive apparatus of the 16th embodiment, if the
difference (flatness) in height (h1) among the clamper projections
551 is within 40 .mu.m, the clamp area 511 of the disk 501 can be
held securely with the clamper projections 551. Desirably, if the
flatness at the clamper projections 551 can be made within 20
.mu.m, the disk 501 can be held still more securely between the
clamper 413 and the turntable 213, whereby the vibration in the
case when the disk 501 is rotated at high speed can be reduced
further.
[0650] In the disk drive apparatus of the 16th embodiment, if the
difference (flatness) in height (h2) among the turntable
projections 552 is within 40 .mu.m, the four or more turntable
projections 552 can securely hold the clamp area 511 of the disk
501. Desirably, if the flatness at the turntable projections 552
can be made within 20 .mu.m, the disk 501 can be held still more
securely between the clamper 413 and the turntable 213, whereby the
vibration in the case when the disk 501 is rotated at high speed
can be reduced further.
[0651] In the disk drive apparatus of the 16th embodiment of the
present invention, when the diameters of the clamper projections
551 and the turntable projections 552 are about 1 to 2 mm, the disk
501 can be fixed sufficiently; therefore, the positions wherein
foreign substances, such as minute litter, dust and the like,
attach to the clamp area 511 are less likely to overlap with the
positions at which the clamper projections 551 and the turntable
projections 552 hold the disk 501, thereby being configured so as
to be less likely to be affected by foreign substances, such as
litter, dust and the like.
[0652] Even if litter attaches by chance to the tips of the clamper
projections 551 and the turntable projections 552, since the
surface areas of these tips are small, in the case when litter
attaches to the disk 501 and the disk 501 is removed, the litter is
discharged together with the disk 501, thereby having a passive
self-cleaning function.
[0653] To enhance the above-mentioned effect further, by thinning
the tips of the clamper projections 551 and the turntable
projections 552 as shown in the above-mentioned FIGS. 57(b), (c)
and (d), the surface areas of the tips of the clamper projections
551 and the turntable projections 552 are reduced, and the
probability of attaching of litter is reduced further.
[0654] In the disk drive apparatus of the 16th embodiment, the
embodiment has been described such that the shapes of the clamper
projections 551 and the turntable projections 552 are cylindrical,
or such that the horizontal sectional shapes thereof, made thinner
at the tips, are circular. However, in the present invention, the
horizontal sectional shapes of the clamper projections 551 and the
turntable projections 552 are not required to be circular; it is
possible to set any desired sectional shapes, such as a triangular
shape, a square shape, an elliptic shape and the like.
[0655] However, when metal mold processing is taken into
consideration, the cylindrical shape is the simplest and convenient
when changing the height of the clamper projections 551 and the
height (h2) of the turntable projections 552.
[0656] In the disk drive apparatus of the 16th embodiment, it has
been described that the number of the clamper projections 551 and
the number of the turntable projections 552 are four respectively.
However, in the present invention, just as in the case of the disk
drive apparatus of the above-mentioned 14th embodiment, the
vibration in the case when the disk 501 is rotated at high speed
can be reduced still further as the number is increased to 6, 9 or
more.
[0657] In the disk drive apparatus of the 16th embodiment, it has
been described that the turntable 213 is made of resin; however, a
similar effect can be obtained even if turntable projections made
of resin are integrally formed on a turntable made of metal (by
outsert molding for example).
[0658] The disk drive apparatus of the 16th embodiment is
configured so that the magnet 544 and the back yoke 545 are
accommodated in the clamper 413, and so that the opposed yoke 524
is accommodated in the boss 522 of the turntable 213. However, even
if the magnet 544 and the back yoke 545 are accommodated in the
boss 522 of the turntable 213, and even if the opposed yoke 524 is
accommodated in the clamper 413, the effect of reducing the
vibration in the case when the disk 501 is rotated at high speed
remains unchanged.
[0659] In addition, in the disk drive apparatus of the 16th
embodiment, it has been described that the number of the engagement
portions 542a of the clamper 413 and the number of the engagement
portions 522a of the turntable 213 are the same as the number of
the clamper projections 551 and the number of the turntable
projections 552, that is, four, respectively. However, the number
of the engagement portions 542a of the clamper 413 is not required
to be the same as the number of the clamper projections 551, and
the number of the engagement portions 522a of the turntable 213 is
not required to be the same as the number of the turntable
projections 552. If the positions of the clamper projections 551
are aligned with those of the turntable projections 552 at least at
four positions by the engagement portions 542a of the clamper 413
and the engagement portions 522a of the turntable 213, it is
possible to obtain an effect of reducing vibration in the case when
the disk 501 is rotated at high speed, even if either the clamper
projections 551 or the turntable projections 552 have extra
projections.
[0660] As described above, in accordance with the configuration of
the disk drive apparatus of the 16th embodiment, by disposing the
four or more clamper projections 551 on the disk holding face of
the clamper 413, by disposing the four or more turntable
projections 552 on the disk mounting face of the turntable 213, and
by allowing the clamper projections 551 and the turntable
projections 552 to hold the upper and lower faces of the disk 501
at substantially the same positions, the vibration of the disk 501
can be reduced securely. Therefore, in the disk drive apparatus of
the 16th embodiment, the vibration of the disk 501 can be reduced,
even if the disk 501 is mounted on the turntable 213 having a face
deflection and rotated at high speed, or even if the disk 501
having a face deflection and thereby unbalanced significantly is
rotated at high speed. Therefore, in the disk drive apparatus of
the 16th embodiment, stable recording/reproduction can be attained
without reducing data transfer rate. In addition, in accordance the
disk 16th embodiment, vibration and noise discharged to the outside
of the disk drive apparatus can be reduced, and it is possible to
attain a disk drive apparatus in which the spindle motor 502
thereof has a long service life.
17th Embodiment
[0661] Next, a disk drive apparatus in accordance with a 17th
embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to
the accompanying drawings FIGS. 62 to 64.
[0662] FIG. 62 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the
clamper 414 of the disk drive apparatus of the 17th embodiment of
the present invention. FIG. 63 is a plan sectional view showing the
operation of the clamper 414 of the disk drive apparatus of the
17th embodiment. FIG. 64 is a side sectional view showing the
vicinity of the clamper 414 of the disk drive apparatus of the 16th
embodiment. The elements having functions substantially identical
to those of the elements of the disk drive apparatuses of the 14th
to 16th embodiments shown in the above-mentioned FIGS. 52 to 61 are
represented by the same numeral codes, and the descriptions for the
preceding embodiments are applied, thereby omitting overlap
descriptions.
[0663] The clamper 414 is provided with a center projection 546 to
be fitted into the positioning hole 523 formed on the boss 522 of a
turntable 214 in order to align the disk 501; and in the vicinity
thereof, a ring-shaped magnet 544 and a back yoke 545 are secured.
Four clamper projections 551 making contact with the disk 501 are
formed on the reverse-side face (the lower face in FIG. 62) of the
clamper 414.
[0664] In the disk drive apparatus of the 17th embodiment, a
ring-shaped track portion 562 having a ring-shaped space is formed
inside the clamper 414. In this ring-shaped track portion 562, a
plurality (six for example) of magnetic balls 563 are accommodated
so as to be movable. As shown in FIGS. 62 and 63, the ring-shaped
track portion 562 is a hollow space formed outside the ring-shaped
magnet 544 and the back yoke 545 secured around the center
projection 546 disposed at the center of the clamper 414, and is
provided so as to be coaxial with the center projection 546. The
ring-shaped track portion 562 formed as described above and the
plural balls 563 accommodated in this ring-shaped track portion 562
form a balancer 561, the balancer 561 is formed so as to be
integral with the clamper 414.
[0665] When the disk 501 is at rest, the magnetic balls 563 are
attracted by the magnet 544 ((a) of FIG. 62). When the disk 501 is
rotated, the balls 563 accommodated in the ring-shaped track
portion 562 of the clamper 414 rotating integrally with the disk
501 are separated from the magnet 544 by centrifugal forces, and
roll along the inner wall face of the outer periphery of the
ring-shaped track portion 562 ((b) of FIG. 62).
[0666] In the disk drive apparatus of the 17th embodiment,
insulators (elastic bodies) 509 having low rigidity are used to
connect the sub-base 508 shown in the above-mentioned FIG. 52 to a
main base 510. The mechanical vibration (the primary resonance
frequency in the direction parallel with the recording face of the
disk 501) of the sub-base 508 due to the deformations of the
insulators 509 is set lower than the rotation frequency of the disk
501. More specifically, the rotation frequency of the disk 501 is
set at about 100 Hz; the primary resonance frequency of the
vibration of the sub-base 508 in the movement direction of the head
503 (FIG. 52) and that of the vibration of the sub-base 508 in the
direction perpendicular thereto are set at about 60 Hz.
[0667] In the disk drive apparatus of the 17th embodiment
configured as described above, the balancer 561 is installed to
improve the imbalance of the disk 501 and to stabilize the
high-speed rotation of the disk 501.
[0668] The imbalance of the disk 501 occurs due to nonuniformity
caused at the time of molding, such as eccentricity of the clamp
hole 512 in the disk 501, nonuniform thickness of the disk 501 or
the like. In the present invention, when these nonuniform factors
of the disk 501 are united and defined as an imbalance amount, the
vibration amount of the disk at the time when the disk 501 is
rotated becomes larger as the imbalance amount of the disk 501 is
larger.
[0669] In the disk drive apparatus of the 17th embodiment, in the
case when the disk 501 mounted on the turntable 214 is rotated, and
for example in the case when the disk 501 having a large imbalance
amount is rotated at 100 Hz, the sub-base 508 whirls at the
rotation frequency of the disk 501 while the insulators 509 are
deformed by centrifugal force. At this time, since the resonance
frequency of the sub-base 508 is smaller than the rotation
frequency, the direction of the centrifugal force of the disk 501
is nearly opposite to the displacement direction of the sub-base
508.
[0670] The whirling center axis of the disk 501 rotating over the
sub-base 508 is disposed between the center of gravity of the disk
501 and the rotation center axis of the spindle motor 502. In other
words, when the balancer 561 is taken as the central element, the
centrifugal force on the balls 563 inside the balancer 561 acts in
the direction nearly opposite to the centrifugal force of the disk
501. Therefore, the imbalance due to the eccentricity of the disk
501 is cancelled by the amount of the weights of the balls 563.
Accordingly, when compared with a case without the balancer 561,
the imbalance amounts of the disk 501 mounted on the turntable 214
and the clamper 414 are reduced. When the imbalance amount of the
disk 501 is balanced with the imbalance amount of the balancer 561,
it is possible to obtain a condition apparently similar to that
obtained when a disk 501 having no imbalance is mounted on the
turntable 214 and rotated.
[0671] Therefore, in the disk drive apparatus of the 17th
embodiment, the disk 501, the spindle motor 502 and the sub-base
508 do not vibrate, whereby stable data recording/reproduction can
be carried out. In addition, vibration and noise to the outside of
the disk drive apparatus can be reduced, and the spindle motor 502
can have a long service life.
[0672] In the balancer 561 of the disk drive apparatus of the 17th
embodiment, the plural balls 563 are accommodated inside the
clamper 414. As shown in FIG. 63, in the case of the disk 501
having a large imbalance amount, the balls 563 concentratedly
gather on the side opposite to the imbalance of the disk 501 ((b)
of FIG. 63). On the other hand, in the case of a disk 501 having no
imbalance, the balls 563 are arranged at equal intervals on the
inner wall face of the outer periphery of the ring-shaped track
portion 562, whereby the balls 563 themselves do not cause
imbalance ((c) of FIG. 63). In addition, in the case when the
imbalance amount of the disk 501 is an intermediate amount
therebetween, the balls 563 are disposed at intermediate positions
corresponding thereto. For this reason, the balancer 561 can cope
with disks 501 having various imbalance amounts.
[0673] FIG. 64 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the
clamper 414 in the case when the disk holding face of the clamper
414 has unevenness. In the case shown in FIG. 64, rattling occurs
between the disk 501 and the clamper 414. In addition, the movement
of the balls 563 of the balancer 561 becomes irregular, and the
balls 563 roll while moving up and down, just as jumping on the
inner wall face of the outer periphery of the ring-shaped track
portion 562. Because of the vibration due to the up/down movement
of the balls 563, the balls 563 cannot smoothly roll along the
inner wall face of the outer periphery of the ring-shaped track
portion 562. Therefore, in the above-mentioned condition, in the
case when the disk 501 is rotated at high speed, the imbalance
cannot be cancelled sufficiently by using only the balancer 561. As
a result, even if only the balancer 561 is provided, the vibration
due to the imbalance of the disk 501 cannot be reduced sufficiently
in some cases. On the other hand, in the case when a disk 501
having no imbalance is rotated at high speed, the balls 563 of the
balancer 561 do not roll smoothly along the inner wall face of the
outer periphery of the ring-shaped track portion 562, whereby an
imbalance occurs on the contrary at the spindle motor 502,
resulting in increasing the vibration of the disk 501 and the
entire disk drive apparatus.
[0674] In addition, in the clamper having no clamper projections in
the conventional disk drive apparatus, even when no rattling occurs
between the clamper and the disk 501, the disk 501 is held at three
positions, whereby the disk 501 is apt to vibrate in the
"six-division mode." Even if the above-mentioned balancer 561 is
provided for this kind of conventional disk drive apparatus, the
movement of the balls 563 of the balancer 561 becomes irregular
because of the vibration in the "six-division mode," and the balls
563 roll while moving up and down, just as jumping on the inner
wall face of the outer periphery of the ring-shaped track portion
562. Therefore, in the conventional disk drive apparatus, even when
no rattling occurs between the clamper and the disk 501 the balls
563 cannot roll on the inner wall face of the outer periphery of
the ring-shaped track portion 562, thereby increasing the vibration
of the disk 501 and the entire disk drive apparatus.
[0675] To solve this kind of problem, in the disk drive apparatus
of the 17th embodiment of the present invention, the rattling
between the disk 501 and the clamper 414 can be canceled by
providing the four clamper projections 551 on the disk holding face
547 of the clamper 4. Therefore, the balls 563 can smoothly roll
along the inner wall face of the outer periphery of the ring-shaped
track portion 562, whereby the effect of canceling the imbalance of
the disk 501 can be obtained sufficiently.
[0676] In addition, in the disk drive apparatus of the 17th
embodiment, since the four or more clamper projections 551 are
provided, the vibrations in the "six-division mode" and the
"eight-division mode" can be reduced, and the balls 563 can
smoothly roll inside the ring-shaped track portion 562, whereby the
effect of canceling the imbalance of the disk 501 can be obtained
sufficiently.
[0677] In the disk drive apparatus of the 17th embodiment, the
difference (flatness) in height (h1) among the clamper projections
551 is within 40 .mu.m. Within this range, the disk 501 is securely
held between the four clamper projections 551 and the turntable
214. Desirably, if the flatness at the clamper projections 551 can
be made within 20 .mu.m, the disk 501 can be held still more
securely between the clamper projections and the turntable 214,
whereby the vibration in the case when the disk 501 is rotated at
high speed can be reduced. In addition, in the disk drive apparatus
of the 17th embodiment, the effect of the balancer 561 is combined
additionally, and the imbalance of the disk 501 can be canceled,
whereby the vibration of the disk 501 can be reduced further.
[0678] In the disk drive apparatus of the 17th embodiment, it has
been described that the shape of the clamper projections 551 is
cylindrical; however, in the present invention, the horizontal
sectional shape of the clamper projections 551 is not required to
be circular; it is possible to set any desired sectional shapes,
such as a triangular shape, a square shape, an elliptic shape and
the like. Furthermore, a similar effect can be obtained even if the
tips of the clamper projections 551 are made thinner, just as in
the case of the above-mentioned 14th embodiment.
[0679] In the disk drive apparatus of the 17th embodiment, the
clamper projections 551 provided only on the side of the clamper
414 have been taken as an example and explained; however, the
effect of the balancer 561 can also be obtained sufficiently when
the disk 501 is held securely on a stable flat face by providing
the four or more turntable projections 552 on the turntable
214.
[0680] In the disk drive apparatus of the 17th embodiment, the
balls 563 are used in the balancer 561; however, the balls 563 are
not necessarily required to be magnetic bodies; if they are made of
a material having a weight capable of canceling the imbalance due
to the eccentricity of the disk 501, the shape thereof is not
limited to the shape of a ball; a similar effect can be obtained
even if the shape is cylindrical, cubic, disk-like or plate-like.
Furthermore, the material is not limited to a magnetic material; a
similar effect can also be obtained even if the material is
nonmagnetic metal, resin, ceramics or fluid having a high specific
weight.
[0681] The disk drive apparatus of the 17th embodiment is
configured so that the magnet 544 and the back yoke 545 are
accommodated in the clamper 414, and so that the opposed yoke 524
is accommodated in the boss 522 of the turntable 214. However, even
if the magnet 544 and the back yoke 545 are accommodated in the
boss 522 of the turntable 214, and even if the opposed yoke 524 is
accommodated in the clamper 414, the effect of reducing the
vibration in the case when the disk 501 is rotated at high speed
remains unchanged.
[0682] As described above, in accordance with the configuration of
the disk drive apparatus of the 17th embodiment, by disposing the
four or more clamper projections 551 on the disk holding face of
the clamper 414, and by movably accommodating the plurality (six
for example) of balls 563 in the ring-shaped track portion 562
inside the clamper 414, the imbalance due to the eccentricity,
nonuniform thickness and the like of the disk 501 can be canceled,
whereby the vibration of the disk 501 can be reduced securely.
Therefore, in the disk drive apparatus of the 17th embodiment, the
vibration of the disk 501 can be reduced in the case when the disk
501 is mounted on the turntable 214 having a face deflection and
rotated at high speed, and when the disk 501 having a face
deflection and thereby unbalanced significantly is rotated at high
speed. Furthermore, in the disk drive apparatus of the 17th
embodiment, even if the disk 501 having a large imbalance amount is
mounted and rotated at high speed, the vibration of the disk 501
can be reduced. Therefore, in the disk drive apparatus of the 17th
embodiment, stable recording/reproduction can be attained without
reducing data transfer rate. In addition, in accordance the disk
drive apparatus of the 17th embodiment, vibration and noise
discharged to the outside of the disk drive apparatus can be
reduced, and the spindle motor 502 can attain a long service
life.
18th Embodiment
[0683] Next, a disk drive apparatus in accordance with an 18th
embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to
the accompanying drawings FIGS. 65 to 68.
[0684] FIGS. 65 are a side sectional view (a) showing the vicinity
of a clamper 415 of the disk drive apparatus of the 18th embodiment
of the present invention and a reverse-side view (b) of the clamper
415. FIG. 66 is a side sectional view showing the vicinity of the
clamper and illustrating the vibration condition of the disk 501 in
the case when the clamper projections 551 are provided. FIGS. 67
and 68 are side sectional views (a) showing the vicinity of another
clamper of the disk drive apparatus of the 18th embodiment of the
present invention, and the reverse-side views (b) of the clamper.
The elements having functions substantially identical to those of
the elements of the disk drive apparatus of the 14th to 17th
embodiments shown in the above-mentioned FIGS. 52 to 64 are
represented by the same numeral codes, and the descriptions for the
preceding embodiments are applied, thereby omitting overlap
descriptions.
[0685] In FIG. 65, the turntable 521 is secured to the spindle
motor shaft 528 and rotatably supports the clamp area 511 of the
disk 501. On the turntable 521, a boss 522 to be fitted into the
clamp hole 512 of the disk 501 is formed integrally. By fitting the
disk 501 on the boss 522, the disk 501 is positioned. In addition,
at the center of the face (the upper face in (a) of FIG. 65) of the
boss 522, opposite to the clamper 415, a positioning hole 523 is
formed. Furthermore, an opposed yoke 524 is embedded and secured to
the boss 522.
[0686] At the clamper 415, a center projection 546, which is fitted
into the positioning hole 523 provided in the turntable 521 so that
the turntable 521 and the clamper 415 are set at the same center
position, is secured to a magnet holder 543. A magnet 544 and a
back yoke 545 are secured around the center projection 546. A flat
face is formed on the reverse-side face of the disk holder 542
constituting the reverse-side face of the clamper 415.
[0687] In the disk drive apparatus of the 18 embodiment configured
as describe above, in a condition wherein the disk 501 is held
between the clamper 415 and the turntable 521, the clamp hole 512
of the disk 501 fits on the boss 522, whereby the disk 501 is
mounted on the turntable 521. In addition, at this time, the disk
501 is held by the magnetic attraction acting between the magnet
544 accommodated in the clamper 415 and the opposed yoke 524
secured to the turntable 521. The disk 501 held in this way is
rotated integrally with the turntable 521 and the clamper 415 by
the rotation operation of the spindle motor 502.
[0688] As shown in FIGS. 65(a) and (b), in the disk drive apparatus
of the 18th embodiment, the eight cylindrical clamper projections
551 are formed on the disk holder 542 on the reverse-side face of
the clamper 415made of resin. The positions wherein the clamper
projections 551 are formed are on two concentric circles around the
center projection 546 of the magnet holder 543; four pieces are
formed on each circle. The clamper projections 551 on the inner
circle are formed at positions wherein the clamper projections 551
can securely hold the clamp area 511 of the disk 501. The outer
circle on which the clamper projections 551 are disposed is
provided outside the clamp area 511 and inside the outer periphery
of the disk 501.
[0689] Furthermore, the clamper projections 551 disposed on the
inner circle and those on the outer circle are disposed at
positions wherein the circumference of each circle is divided into
four equal portions, that is, positions wherein the circumference
is divided at intervals of 90 degrees. The difference (flatness) in
height (h1) among the clamper projections 551 is within 40 .mu.m.
If the difference in height (h1) among the clamper projections 551
is within 40 .mu.m as described above, and if the difference
(flatness) in height between the bumps and dips on the disk
mounting face of the turntable 521 is sufficiently smaller than the
flatness in the clamper projections 551, the disk 501 is securely
held between the four clamper projections 551 and the turntable
521.
[0690] In the disk drive apparatus of the 18th embodiment, when the
disk 501 is mounted on the turntable 521, the disk 501 is raised
toward the clamper 415 together with a sub-base 508 to which the
spindle motor 502 is secured. As a result, the disk 501 is held
between the clamper 415 and the turntable 521. At this time, with
respect to the positioning among the clamper 415, the disk 501 and
the turntable 521, there is no restriction regarding the positions
in the rotation direction, except that the centers of these are
aligned with the center of the spindle motor shaft 528, whereby
they are positioned at any given positions. Even in this kind of
case, the clamper 415 prevents the deformation of the disk 501 in
the upward direction in the "six-division mode" of the disk 501.
Furthermore, the turntable 521 prevents the deformation of the disk
1 in the downward direction in the "six-division mode" of the disk
501.
[0691] Therefore, in the disk drive apparatus of the 18th
embodiment, the deformation of the disk 501 in the upward and
downward directions in the "six-division mode" is prevented,
whereby in the case when the disk 501 is rotated at high speed, the
vibration of the disk 501 in the "six-division mode" can be reduced
to a nearly undetectable condition.
[0692] In the disk drive apparatus of the 18th embodiment, if the
difference (flatness) in height (h2) among the turntable
projections 552 is within 40 .mu.m, they can securely hold the
clamp area 511 of the disk 501. Desirably, if the flatness at the
turntable projections 552 can be made within 20 .mu.m, the disk 501
can be held still more securely between the clamper 415 and the
turntable, whereby the vibration in the case when the disk 501 is
rotated at high speed can be reduced further.
[0693] In the disk drive apparatus in accordance with the prior
art, as shown in (a) of FIG. 66, in the case when the clamp area
511 of the disk 501 cannot be held by the conventional clamper 581,
the range from the outermost periphery to the clamp hole 512 of the
disk 501 is deformable in the upward direction of the disk 501.
Therefore, in the case when the disk 501 is rotated at high speed,
the amplitude amount of the vibration of the disk 501 becomes
large, since the deformable range of the disk 501 in the
upward/downward direction is wide.
[0694] In the disk drive apparatus of the above-mentioned 14th
embodiment, the clamp area 511 can be held securely as shown in (b)
of FIG. 66, whereby the range from the outermost periphery to the
clamp area 511 of the disk 501 is deformable in the upward/downward
direction of the disk 501. Therefore, in the case when the disk 501
is rotated at high speed, the deformable range in the
upward/downward direction of the disk 501 is made narrower than the
case of holding by using the conventional clamper 581, whereby the
vibration amount of the disk 501 can be made less than that in the
conventional disk drive apparatus.
[0695] In addition, in the disk drive apparatus of the 18th
embodiment, the clamp area 511 of the disk 501 is held securely,
and the clamper projections 551 disposed on the outer circle limit
the deformation of the disk 501 in the upward direction as shown in
(c) of FIG. 66. Therefore, the disk 501 cannot deform in the
up/down direction only in the range from the outermost periphery of
the disk 501 to the outer circles of the clamper projections 51.
Therefore, the deformable range in the upward/downward direction of
the disk 501 is made narrower than that in the case of the clamper
541 of the disk drive apparatus of the 14th embodiment, whereby the
amplitude amount of the vibration in the case when the disk 501 is
rotated at high speed can be reduced further.
[0696] FIGS. 67 and 68 are side sectional views (a) showing the
vicinities of other clampers of the disk drive apparatus of the
18th embodiment of the present invention, and the reverse-side
views (b) of the clamper.
[0697] In the disk drive apparatus shown in (b) of FIG. 67,
regarding the circumferential dispositions of the clamper
projections 551, the four projections on the inner circle are
disposed 45 degrees dislocated from the four projections on the
outer circle. Even if the clamper projections 551 are disposed in
this way, the effect of reducing the vibration in the case when the
disk 501 is rotated at high speed is not changed significantly.
[0698] Furthermore, in the disk drive apparatus shown in (b) of
FIG. 68, four clamper projections 551 are formed at equal intervals
on the inner circle, and eight are formed at equal intervals on the
outer circle. By disposing the clamper projections 551 in this way,
the vibration in the case when the disk 501 is rotated at high
speed can be reduced still further.
[0699] Even if the clamper projections 551 are disposed so that the
projections on the inner circle for holding the disk 501 at the
clamp area 511 of the disk 501 are dislocated in the rotation
direction of the disk 501 from the projections disposed on the
outside thereof on the outer circle for restricting the deformation
of the disk 501 in the upward direction, or even if the number of
the clamper projections 551 is increased, the vibration of the disk
501 rotated at high speed can be reduced still further than the
vibration in the case when the clamper projections 551 are disposed
only on the inner circle.
[0700] In the disk drive apparatus of the 18th embodiment, it has
been described that the shape of the clamper projections 551 is
cylindrical; however, in the present invention, the horizontal
sectional shape of the clamper projections 551 is not required to
be circular; it is possible to set any desired sectional shapes,
such as a triangular shape, a square shape, an elliptic shape and
the like.
[0701] Furthermore, in the disk drive apparatus of the 18th
embodiment, an effect similar to that of the 14th embodiment can be
obtained even if the tips of the clamper projections 551 are made
thinner, just as in the case of the 14th embodiment. For example,
provided that the clamper projections 551 on the inner circle and
the clamper projections 551 on the outer circle are disposed at the
same positions in the rotation direction with respect to the
rotation direction of the disk 501, the shapes of the clamper
projections 551 can be simplified by integrating the areas between
the clamper projections 551 so as to form an elliptic or
rectangular shape.
[0702] In the disk drive apparatus of the 18th embodiment, the
clamper projections 551 are provided only on the side of the
clamper 415; however, by providing the four or more turntable
projections 552 on the turntable 521 and by securely holding the
stable flat face of the disk 501, it is possible to obtain an
effect of still further reducing the vibration in the case when the
disk 501 is rotated at high speed.
[0703] The disk drive apparatus of the 18th embodiment is
configured so that the magnet 544 and the back yoke 545 are
accommodated in the clamper 415, and so that the opposed yoke 524
is accommodated in the boss 522 of the turntable 521. However, even
if the magnet 544 and the back yoke 545 are accommodated in the
boss 522 of the turntable 521, and even if the opposed yoke 524 is
accommodated in the clamper 415, the effect of reducing, the
vibration in the case when the disk 501 is rotated at high speed
remains unchanged.
[0704] As described above, in accordance with the configuration of
the disk drive apparatus of the 18th embodiment, by disposing the
four or more clamper projections 551 on the disk holding face of
the clamper 415, and by additionally disposing the four or more
clamper projections 551 outside the clamp area of the disk 501, the
vibration of the disk 501 can be reduced securely. Therefore, in
the disk drive apparatus of the 18th embodiment, the vibration of
the disk 501 can be reduced even when the disk 501 is mounted on
the turntable 521 having a face deflection and rotated at high
speed, and even if the disk 501 having a face deflection and
thereby unbalanced significantly is rotated at high speed.
Therefore, in the disk drive apparatus of the 18th embodiment,
stable recording/reproduction can be attained without reducing data
transfer rate. In addition, in accordance the disk drive apparatus
of the 18th embodiment, vibration and noise discharged to the
outside of the disk drive apparatus can be reduced, and the spindle
motor 502 can attain a long service life.
19th Embodiment
[0705] Next, a disk drive apparatus in accordance with a 19th
embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to
the accompanying drawings FIGS. 69 to 71.
[0706] FIGS. 69 are a side sectional view (a) showing the vicinity
of the clamper 541 of the disk drive apparatus of the 19th
embodiment of the present invention and a reverse-side view (b) of
the clamper 541. In (b) of FIG. 69, a turntable-use rubber sheet
571 stuck to a turntable 216 is shown by a diagonally shaded area,
together with the clamper projections 551 provided on the
reverse-side face of the clamper 541, whereby their positional
relationship is shown.
[0707] FIGS. 70 and 71 are side sectional views (a) showing the
vicinities of other clampers of the disk drive apparatus of the
19th embodiment of the present invention, and the reverse-side
views (b) of the clamper. The elements having functions
substantially identical to those of the elements of the disk drive
apparatus of the 14th to 18th embodiments shown in the
above-mentioned FIGS. 52 to 68 are represented by the same numeral
codes, and the descriptions for the preceding embodiments are
applied, thereby omitting overlap descriptions.
[0708] In (a) of FIG. 69, the turntable 216 is secured to the
spindle motor shaft 528, and the ring-shaped turntable-use rubber
sheet 571 is stuck to the disk mounting face 216a of the turntable
216, opposite to the clamp area 511 of the disk 501. Therefore, the
turntable 216 is configured to rotatably support the clamp area 511
of the disk 501 via the turntable-use rubber sheet 571.
[0709] A boss 522 fitted into the clamp hole 512 of the disk 501 is
formed integrally with the turntable 216. By fitting the clamp hole
2 of the disk 501 on the boss 522, the disk 501 is positioned.
Furthermore, a positioning hole 523 is formed at the center of the
face (the upper face in (a) of FIG. 69) of the boss 522, opposite
to the clamper 541. In addition, an opposed yoke 524 is embedded
and secured in the boss 522.
[0710] A center projection 546 fitted into the positioning hole 523
provided in the turntable 216 and used to securely hold the
turntable 216 and the clamper 541 at the same center position is
secured to the magnet holder 543. Around this center projection
546, a magnet 544 and a back yoke 545 are secured. A flat face is
formed on the lower face of the disk holder 542 constituting the
reverse-side face of the clamper 541.
[0711] In the disk drive apparatus of the 19th embodiment
configured as described above, when the disk 501 is held between
the clamper 541 and the turntable 521 via the turntable-use rubber
sheet 571, the clamp hole 512 is fitted on the boss 522, and the
disk 501 is mounted on the turntable 216. At this time, the disk
501 is held by the magnetic attraction acting between the magnet
544 accommodated in the clamper 541 and the opposed yoke 524
secured to the turntable 216. The disk 501 being held in this way
is rotated integrally with the turntable 216 and the clamper 541 by
the rotation operation of the spindle motor 502.
[0712] As shown in (b) of FIG. 69, in the disk drive apparatus of
the 19th embodiment, the four cylindrical clamper projections 551
are formed on the reverse-side face of the disk holder 542
constituting the reverse-side face of the clamper 541 made of
resin. The clamper projections 551 are formed on a circle around
the center projection 546 of the magnet holder 543, and provided at
positions wherein the clamper projections 551 can securely hold the
clamp area 511 of the disk 501. The clamper projections 551 are
disposed at positions wherein the circumference of the circle
around the center projection 546 is divided into four equal
portions, that is, positions wherein the circumference is divided
at equal intervals of 90 degrees.
[0713] The difference (flatness) in height (h1) among the clamper
projections 551 is within 40 .mu.m. Within this range, the disk 501
is securely held between the four clamper projections 551 and the
turntable 216 via the turntable-use rubber sheet 571.
[0714] In the disk drive apparatus of the 19th embodiment, the disk
501 is mounted on the turntable 521 via the turntable-use rubber
sheet 571 of the turntable 216 made of metal. The difference
(flatness) in height between the bumps and dips on the disk
mounting face 216a depends on the processing method for the
turntable 521. In the case of the turntable 216 formed by cutting
rod-like aluminum or brass for example, a flatness within 20 .mu.m
can be attained easily; however, this processing takes a long time,
resulting in high cost. On the other hand, the turntable 216 formed
by stamping a metal sheet can be attained at low cost; however, it
is difficult to reduce the flatness of the disk mounting face 216a
to 100 .mu.m or less. When the turntable 216, the disk mounting
face 216a of which has a low flatness as described above, is used,
it eventually hold the disk 501 at three points.
[0715] If the flatness of the turntable 216 is 100 .mu.m or more,
even if the four clamper projections 551 are provided to limit the
deformable range on the side of the clamper 541 of the disk 501,
the deformable range on the side of the turntable 216 is large.
Therefore, in the case when the disk 501 is rotated at high speed,
significant vibration in the "six-division mode" occurs at the disk
501 as shown in the above-mentioned FIG. 47, whereby the vibration
and noise at the disk drive apparatus become vigorous.
[0716] To solve this problem, the turntable-use rubber sheet 571 is
stuck to the turntable 216 in the disk drive apparatus of the 19th
embodiment, whereby the unevenness on the turntable 216 made of a
metal sheet can be absorbed.
[0717] The turntable-use rubber sheet 571 having a rubber hardness
of 20 to 80 degrees for example is formed to have a thickness of
0.1 to 1.0 mm depending on the rubber hardness. If the clamp area
511 of the disk 501 is about 30 mm in diameter, it is easy to
perform molding so that one turntable-use rubber sheet 571 has an
unevenness of 100 .mu.m or less in thickness. This turntable-use
rubber sheet 571 is stuck to the turntable 216 with an adhesive or
double-sided tape. Since the turntable-use rubber sheet 571 has the
elasticity of rubber, the unevenness of the turntable 216, about
100 .mu.m, can be easily absorbed by the deformation of the
turntable-use rubber sheet 571.
[0718] In the case when the disk 501 is mounted on the turntable
216 to which this kind of turntable-use rubber sheet 571 is stuck,
the deformation of the disk 501 toward the turntable 216 is
limited. Since the turntable-use rubber sheet 571 has the
elasticity of rubber, the turntable-use rubber sheet 571 deforms
slightly at the outermost periphery thereof. However, since the
compression stress of the rubber rises abruptly, deformation does
not occur at all on the inner peripheral side of the turntable-use
rubber sheet 571. Therefore, the disk 501 is completely restricted
over the entire 360-degree circumference inside the clamp area 511.
Therefore, even if the disk 501 is rotated at high speed, the disk
501 does not cause vibration in the "six-division mode," the
"eight-division mode" or the like.
[0719] As described above, in the disk drive apparatus of the 19th
embodiment, by sticking the turntable-use rubber sheet 571 to the
turntable 216, the large unevenness of the turntable 216 made of a
metal sheet can be absorbed. In addition, in the disk drive
apparatus of the 19th embodiment, in the case when the
turntable-use rubber sheet 571 is stuck to the turntable 216 formed
by cutting aluminum or brass, the unevenness of the turntable 216
can be more absorbed than in the case of the turntable 216 made of
a metal sheet. Therefore, in the disk drive apparatus of the 19th
embodiment, the vibration of the disk 501 in the case when the disk
501 is rotated at high speed can be reduced significantly.
[0720] In the disk drive apparatus of the 19th embodiment, if the
difference (flatness) in height (h1) among the clamper projections
551 is within 40 .mu.m, the clamp area 511 of the disk 501 can be
securely held by the four or more clamper projections 551.
Desirably, if the flatness at the clamper projections 551 can be
made within 20 .mu.m, the disk 501 can be held more securely
between the turntable 216 and the clamper 541, whereby the
vibration in the case when the disk 501 is rotated at high speed
can be reduced further securely.
[0721] In the disk drive apparatus of the 19th embodiment, it has
been described that the shape of the clamper projections 551 is
cylindrical; however, in the present invention, the horizontal
sectional shape of the clamper projections 551 is not required to
be circular; it is possible to set any desired sectional shapes,
such as a triangular shape, a square shape, an elliptic shape and
the like. Furthermore, an effect similar to that of the 14th
embodiment can be obtained when the tips of the clamper projections
551 are made thinner, just as in the case of the above-mentioned
14th embodiment.
[0722] The disk drive apparatus of the 19th embodiment is
configured so that the four clamper projections 551 are provided on
the side of the clamper 541, and so that the turntable-use rubber
sheet 571 is stuck to the turntable 216, whereby the disk 501 is
completely restricted over the entire 360-degree circumference
inside the clamp area 511. However, even if the device is
configured so that four turntable projections 552 are formed on the
turntable 212 and so that a clamper-use rubber sheet 572 is stuck
to the clamper 416, the disk 501 can also be held securely. With
this configuration, the vibration of the disk 501 in the case when
the disk 501 is rotated at high speed can be reduced.
[0723] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 70(a) and (b), even if the
device is configured so that the turntable-use rubber sheet 571 is
stuck to the turntable 216 and so that a clamper-use rubber sheet
572 is stuck to the clamper 416, the disk 501 can also be held
securely. With this configuration, the vibration of the disk 501 in
the case when the disk 501 is rotated at high speed can be
reduced.
[0724] In the disk drive apparatus of the 19th embodiment, it has
been described that the number of the clamper projections 551 shown
in FIG. 69 and the number of the turntable projections 552 shown
FIG. 70 are four, respectively. However, the present invention is
not limited to this quantity; just as in the case of the disk drive
apparatus of the above-mentioned 14th embodiment, the vibration in
the case when the disk 501 is rotated at high speed can be reduced
still further as the quantity increases to six, nine or more.
[0725] In the disk drive apparatus of the 19th embodiment, the
balancer 561 in the 17th embodiment shown in FIG. 62 is not
mounted; however, by mounting the balancer 561 on the clampers 541
and 416 shown in FIGS. 69, 70 and 71, the imbalance during rotation
due to the eccentricity of the disk 501 can be canceled.
Furthermore, by mounting the balancer 561 on the clampers 541 and
416, the effect of reducing the vibration in the "six-division
mode," the "eight-division mode" and the like in the case when the
disk 501 is rotated at high speed is not hindered.
[0726] In the disk drive apparatus of the 19th embodiment, in FIGS.
69, 70 and 71, the turntable-use rubber sheet 571 and the
clamper-use rubber sheet 572 have the shape of a ring-shaped sheet;
however, even if the rubber sheet is divided into plural sheets, if
the rubber sheets have the same thickness, a similar effect can be
obtained.
[0727] The disk drive apparatus of the 19th embodiment is
configured so that the magnet 544 and the back yoke 545 are
accommodated in the clampers 541 and 416, and so that the opposed
yoke 524 is accommodated in the bosses 522 of the turntables 521
and 216. However, even if the magnet 544 and the back yoke 545 are
accommodated in the bosses 522 of the turntables 521 and 216, and
even if the opposed yoke 524 is accommodated in the clampers 541
and 416, the effect of reducing the vibration in the case when the
disk 501 is rotated at high speed remains unchanged.
[0728] As described above, in the disk drive apparatus of the 19th
embodiment, by using a configuration wherein the turntable-use
rubber sheet 571 is stuck to the disk mounting face of the
turntable 216 or a configuration wherein the clamper-use rubber
sheet 572 is stuck to the disk holding face of the clamper 416, the
vibration of the disk 501 can be reduced securely. Therefore, in
the disk drive apparatus of the 19th embodiment, even when the disk
501 is mounted on the turntable 521 having a face deflection and
rotated at high speed, and even if the disk 501 having a face
deflection and thereby unbalanced significantly is rotated at high
speed, the vibration of the disk 501 can be reduced. Therefore, in
the disk drive apparatus of the 19th embodiment, stable
recording/reproduction can be attained without reducing data
transfer rate. In addition, in accordance the disk drive apparatus
of the 19th embodiment, vibration and noise discharged to the
outside of the disk drive apparatus can be reduced, and the spindle
motor 502 can attain a long service life.
[0729] As described above, in accordance with the disk drive
apparatuses of the 14th to 19th embodiments of the present
invention, the four or more projections are formed on the disk
holding face of the clamper and the disk mounting face of the
turntable to hold the clamp area of the disk. Therefore, the disk
drive apparatuses of the 14th to 19th embodiments have an effect of
reducing the vibration of the disk in the case when the disk having
a face deflection and an imbalance during rotation is rotated at
high speed.
[0730] With this effect, in accordance with the present invention,
even if the disk is rotated at high speed, stable data
recording/reproduction can be attained, whereby a disk drive
apparatus capable of carrying out high-rate data transfer can be
attained.
[0731] Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, the
vibration of the disk and the noise due to the vibration,
discharged to the outside of the disk drive apparatus, can be
reduced significantly.
[0732] Although the present invention has been described in terms
of the presently preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that
such disclosure is not to be interpreted as limiting. Various
alterations and modifications will no doubt become apparent to
those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains,
after having read the above disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended
that the appended claims be interpreted as covering all alterations
and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0733] The present invention is provided for personal computers,
game machines, video reproduction machines, devices (set-top boxes)
for utilizing information from networks, satellite broadcasting,
etc., and the like, and used to record and reproduce data by
rotating a disk used as a recording medium.
* * * * *